KOSGEI Rachael Jeruto

Thesis / Project  Title: EFFECT OF STUDENTS’ DISCIPLINE ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN VIHIGA SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Thesis / Project  Abstract:

Students’ discipline is an important aspect for a school to achieve academic excellence. In most public secondary schools, lack of discipline among students is still a threat to their academic performance. Regardless of this, a few studies have attempted to ascertain the relationship between students discipline and their academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of students’ discipline on their academic performance in public secondary in Vihiga sub-County, Kenya. The study targeted 27 schools, 326 teachers and 4500 students in Vihiga sub-County. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Stratified random sampling method was used to select the respondents.Questionnaires and scheduled interviewswere administered to the respondents. The data obtained was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using Statistical package for Social Sciences (20.0). The study findings showed that truancy was the common form of indiscipline at 50 percent (deputy principles), 32.2 percent (teachers) and 51.9 percent (students). Deputy Principals (87.5%), students (83.3%) and teachers (85%) supported that truancy affects students’ academic performance. Deputy principles (87.5%), teachers (62.07%) and students (71.37%) agreed that there is examination cheating in the schools. Deputy principles at 75 percent and teachers at 92 percent agreed vandalism is common in schools. At p=0.001, vandalism and academic performance correlated at r=0.365. Homework and the academic performance positively correlated at p=0.001and r=0.376. Students’ indiscipline interferes negatively influences leaning and teaching processes which affects their academic performance. There is need for schools to emphasize on students discipline so as to realize their full academic potential.