Perception among female junior high school pupils towards the study of mathematics in Upper Denkyira West, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find the perception among female Junior High School pupils towards the study of Mathematics in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region of Ghana. A descriptive qualitative design was employed to explore the study. An interview session was used to provide data used for the study. The study involved 13 purposely selected female junior high school pupils in Nkronua D/A JHS in the Upper Denkyira West of Central Region. The data was in the form of recording through interviews were transcribed. The final output was presented in the form of texts and direct quotes from the respondents. The findings of the study showed that female junior high school pupils perceive mathematics as a difficult subject. Some of the factors that accounted for this were poor teaching methods, perception, and attitudes of mathematics teachers. The study also revealed that lack of parental support, lack of practice of concept taught, and lack of motivation were the major challenges female Junior High School pupils faced towards the study of mathematics. It was recommended that modern teaching and learning of mathematics be used to increase the interest of female Junior High School pupils in studying mathematics. It was also suggested that future researchers should extend their research to both male and female Junior High School pupils to help also find out some of the problems male pupils also face in mathematics.