Strategies for Enhancing Self-Esteem among Students in Mixed Secondary Schools in Soweto Embakasi East County, Nairobi, Kenya

Self-esteem is significant for psychological and physical growth of adolescents. It is the time when adolescents find their identity as they negotiate through life. It is a time that they lay the foundation for their academic life and their future. The UNICEF and other Non-Governmental Organizations have come with numerous programs that aim at building self-esteem of adolescents. However, adolescents in schools continue to manifest low self-esteem in Soweto, Embakasi East Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya. The study aimed at exploring the strategies of enhancing self-esteem among students in mixed secondary schools in Soweto, Embakasi East County, Nairobi, Kenya. The study employed exploratory research design. Through purposive sampling, a sample size of 15 participants which comprised of 10 students and 5 Key Informants were selected to participate in the study. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed that the strategies of enhancing self-esteem among secondary school students in Soweto, Embakasi East Sub-County, Nairobi included guidance and counselling, the availability of teachers to students, positive thinking, self-awareness and self-acceptance. The study recommends the schools to strengthen guidance and counselling to promote self-esteem among adolescents in secondary schools. Also, the Government may need to employ qualified counsellors and psychologists in secondary schools to help students towards handling problems that cannot be addressed by paraprofessionals.