The Causes of Students Poor Performance in Mathematics in Junior Secondary School: A Case Study of Akoko-edo Local Government Area of Edo State
Chapter One
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The general purpose of this study is to investigate the possible causes and effects of student’s poor performance in mathematics as regards to imp0lication and threats posed to the development of our country Nigeria and the development of science and technology the specific purpose of this study is derived from the general purpose stated above, these include the following;
- To x-ray the causes of poor performance in mathematics amongst the secondary school students in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
- To investigate the effects of this lackadaisical attitude of the students towards mathematics in both internal and external examination.
- To find out how teaching techniques and instructional materials would improve the lukewarm attitudes of students towards mathematics.
- To access the impact of socio-economic background of the students towards mathematics (environmental factors).
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Literature was reviewed under the following headings:-
- Conceptual framework
- Theoretical framework
- Related topics or ideas on the subject matter
- Summary of literature review.
Conceptual Framework
Concept of causes and effect of mass failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate examination (SSCE) in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa ibom State is the frame of reference in this work.
Therefore, let us reflect the origin and meaning of the word mathematics. The word mathematics is a Greek word meaning things that are learned.
Majasa (1995), further defined it as the science of counting, measuring and describing of this shape of objects. It deals with logical reasoning and quantitaive calculation and so has involved the science of structure, order and relation.
Mathematics as a school subject is recognized as the foundation of science and technology without a nation will never become prosperous and economically independent. Therefore, we count it as one of the boons of S.T.M. which stands for science, technology and mathematics as the bedrock of development of any nation. This underscores the importance of mathematical competence of all the learners at all levels of education and a reason for making mathematics compulsory and one of the leading core subjects in the secondary schools curriculum.
Secondly, as we have traced the origin and meaning of mathematics, we can now look at the causes of mass failure of this very subject – mathematics, mass failure means when the greater percentage (say 70%) of the students that registered for a particular examination fail that examination, so as a result of this mass failure, we saw it as a social problem in our society, that is how we pick interest to study the causes and effect of this mass failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate examination (SSCE). Anagbogu (1986) quoting Ballogun (1976) and Baya (1983) stated that there is sufficient testimony of educational significance of science by deliberated efforts towards a search for the most adequate and successful method of teaching science subjects. The method has not yielded spectacular result. No nation can therefore survive economically if the future generation is performing lowly in scientific field. In analyzing this problem, several procedures has been adopted. These procedures are as follows:-
- Insufficient number of qualified teachers
- Negative attitude of students towards mathematics.
- Shortage of instructional materials etc.
Insufficient Number of Qualified Teachers
Teachers of senior mathematics are hard to come-by because of the site of some schools in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa ibom State. The few available teachers have not been given opportunities to update the skill and knowledge through in-service training. Teachers have an important part to play in learning mathematics by students. According to Nicol (1997), “A teacher can only be seen to be effective if the students can learn with greater ease and perform well with his help than without his help”. Teachers attitude can hinder learning or participatory discussion especially when one does not present oneself as a high intellectual and formidable person, in addition, teachers’ attitude towards the students can also create a suitable atmosphere for students to learn well”. A quack doctor is capable to handle an individual at a time but a bad teacher can ruin not only the individual but also a nation. The more qualified and better trained teachers are the greater success recorded in achieving the educational objectives of competent teacher in mathematics.
On the other hand, (Onyemba 1991) stressed that the general hatred for mathematics by students may be due to the teaching method rather than the difficult nature of the subject. Unqualified teachers may employ wrong teaching methods of learning which might result in general hatred for the subject by the students. In most Nigeria senior secondary school today, experience and qualification are other factors affecting teachers’ effectiveness in teaching mathematics. Therefore, if mathematics is to be appreciated by students, teachers must cultivate good ground on which such needs must grow. (Alidi 1985) in line with this said that most teachers are not qualified and they do not know the subjects themselves much less how to teach it to somebody else.
Finally, (Obikwere 2008) pointed out that it is only qualified teachers that are conversant with social changes and hence help to effect and implement curriculum
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research design is the plan structure and strategy of investigation developed so as to obtain answer to research questions and control variance (Kerlinger, 1973:45).
SOURCES OF DATA
The researcher used both primary and secondary methods of data collection.
Primary Data: This is data that is obtained first hand from the respondents. Primary data method is obtained through the administration of questionnaires and personal interviews.
Secondary Data: secondary source of data are opinions of exports in the experts views and are obtained from related literature from private, professional ad academic libraries.
THE POPULATION STUDY
The study of population would cover about 120 respondents with deep understanding of the causes of students poor performance in mathematcis in Junior secondary school.
The study was conducted in Edo state.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
This chapter is devoted to the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the data gathered in the course of this study. The data are based on the number of copies of the questionnaire completed and returned by the respondents. The data are presented in tables and the analysis is done using the chi-square test.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The general purpose of this study is to investigate the possible causes and effects of student’s poor performance in mathematics as regards to imp0lication and threats posed to the development of our country Nigeria and the development of science and technology the specific purpose of this study is derived from the general purpose stated above, these include the following;
To x-ray the causes of poor performance in mathematics amongst the secondary school students in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.To investigate the effects pof this lackadaisical attitude of the students towards mathematics in both internal and external examination.To find out how teaching techniques and instructional materials would improve the lukewarm attitudes of students towards mathematics.To access the impact of socio-economic background of the students towards mathematics (environmental factors).
FINDINGS
The study made the following findings from the distributed questionnaires:
1.lackadaisical attitude of students has significant effect on the student academic performance in Mathematics
- teachers attitude affect students choice of mathematics
- the use of instructional materials will help improve the performance of students in mathematics
- the ministry of education has a role to play in the academic achievment of junior secondary school students
- Experienced teachers has a role to play on the academic performance students
- Peer group has a significant impact on the academic achievment of student in mathematics
CONCLUSION
Based on the result of the data analysis from the responses of the respondents concerning the study we therefore conclude that lackadaisical attitude of students has significant effect on the student academic performance in Mathematics.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend the following to help the ministry of education, parents, teachers, guidance on how to assist students concerning their poor academic performance in mathematics.
- The federal government of Nigeria through the ministry of education should endeavor to recruit experience teachers to bring up the student in a manner that suit the requirement for suceess in mathematics
- There should be a complete instructional materials for all topics in mathematics
- Educated parents should always guide their children during mathematics home work so as to help them improve in mathematics.
REFERENCES
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- Ale S.O. (2007): Mathematics not a Difficult Subject. Guardian Newspaper June 14, pg (51).
- Ale S.O. (1992): Difficulties Facing Mathematics Teachers in Developing Countries. A Case Study of Nigeria Education Studies in Mathematics. Unpublished Thesis. 12 pg 479-489.
- Anagbogu M.A. (1988): Experiential Improvement of Scientific Observation Skills Among the Group of Nigeria Secondary Schools schildren, UNIBADAN Ph.D. Thesis.
- Anike M.A. (1980): An Address to Teachers’ Orientation Course on Mathematics, Oji River.
- Bajelo (2001): Science, Technology, Mathematics and Economic Development Education and Natural Stability, Dictionary of Science and Technology. Vol. 1.
- Beeby A.M. (1970): Building by the Honourable Ministry of Education!!! The Journal of Mathematics Association of Nigeria, September, 1990. Vol. 20 No. 1
- Ebeniobi E.N. (1998): The Impact of Reward System on the Moral of Secondary Schools Teachers in Anambra State.
- Ezeobi I. (2000): Motivation and Dedication in Teaching Profession. The Daily Champion pp. 16.
- Eze John E. (2000): The Relevance of Mathematics to Science and Teachnology. Bobarua Bi-Annual Multi-Disciplinary Journal of Education. Vol. 4 No. 2 July 2003.