Factors that affect low performance of pupils in mathematics among junior high schools in the Effutu Municipality

Abstract

The study was conducted in selected public basic schools in the Effutu Municipalityity with the purpose of investigating the factors that affect the performance of pupils in mathematics in public junior high schools in the Effutu Municipalityity. The study sought to identify school, pupil, teacher, and home-related factors that affect the performance of pupils among junior high schools in Effutu Municipalityity. The study used a descriptive survey design. A proportionate random sampling procedure was used to select 110 junior high school pupils, and a purposive sampling procedure was used to select 10 mathematics teachers for the study. This gave a sample size of 120. The instruments used in this study were interview guides for mathematics teachers and questionnaires for junior high school pupils. The questionnaire responses were analysed descriptively using frequency tables, simple percentage counts, and mean deviations. Responses from the interview schedule were analysed qualitatively using a thematic approach. The study concluded that limited use of instructional materials in mathematics, limited number of mathematics teaching and learning materials (TLMs), large class sizes, high teacher-pupil ratio, lack of quality physical facilities, limited number of mathematics reading materials and other resources in the school library were school-related factors that affected pupils’ performance in mathematics in junior high schools in the Effutu Municipalityity. Also, lack of commitment on the part of pupils, low academic ambition, pupils’ poor learning styles in mathematics, pupils’ lack of motivation for studying mathematics, pupils’ lack of self-confidence, inadequate effort towards mathematics and lack of interest in mathematics studies were school-related factors that affected pupils’ performance in mathematics in junior high school in the Effutu Municipalityity. Moreover, lack of mentorship for teachers, teacher impatience for slow learners, lateness to school, poor attitude towards learners, methods and techniques of teaching mathematics were teacher-related factors that affected pupils’ performance in mathematics among junior high schools in the Effutu Municipalityity. Finally, parents’ level of education, parents’ occupation, parents’ income, and family backgrounds, nutrition and health status, large family size, and parental involvement in academic work were home-related factors that affected pupils’ performance in mathematics at junior high school in the Effutu Municipalityity. The study recommends that the Effutu Municipality Education Directorate provide the Effutu Circuit schools with adequate teaching and learning materials, provide adequate classrooms for teaching and learning, and also organise workshops for mathematics teachers on the efficient use of instructional materials during classroom deliveries. Also, teachers should liaise with parents of pupils to encourage, motivate, and stir pupils’ interest in the learning of mathematics by giving special prizes to pupils who perform well in the subject. Finally, the Effutu Municipality Education Directorate should organise workshops or educational seminars for teachers on the need to develop positive attitudes towards their pupils so that the pupils can readily approach and relate with them.