INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSES OF POOR PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS EXAMINATION.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Mathematics is a topic that has a significant impact on almost every area of human existence. The social, socioeconomic, scientific, and technological aspects of man are all centered on numbers—disciplines where numbers are predominant and form an integral part of mathematics include: statistics, accounts, engineering, and so on—because all of the above disciplines used numbers to analyze and synthesize data in order to gain a clear understanding of what they were doing and to ensure that they were doing it correctly. Mathematical manipulations, for example, were used to create humanity's first civilisation.

Because of its numerical and symbolic character, mathematics is more closely linked to the scientific and technical aspects of man's world than to any other element, as it arises and recurs in the physical and natural sciences. As a result (Encyclopaedia of Education, 2003). The modernisation of this civilisation relies heavily on mathematics. It is present everywhere and has an impact on people's daily life. It comes from the actual world, despite the fact that it is abstract and theoretical knowledge. Mathematics is an important and fundamental part of the college curriculum, with a broad range of subject content. Mathematics is very essential in schooling. Mathematics is a unique topic since it focuses on numbers, their relationships, and the operations that may be done on them. “Nature speaks to us through the language of mathematics,” writes Okonkwo (2000), “numbers, mathematical principles, and equations enable us to understand the world around us.” The continuing low performance of students in the subject has become a national issue, with parents, teachers, and educational planners seeking answers to this decreasing trend in mathematics achievement. As a result, the justification for doing this research is both reasonable and intriguing. The low performance of students in the first school leaving certificate test demonstrated that more work has to be done to improve the situation. Furthermore, the rate at which students are afraid of the subject is a situation that, if not handled properly, can result in more harm and problems for students. The difficulty of the subject has been blamed for poor mathematics performance over the years. It has been discovered that students' attitudes toward mathematics study or learning reflect their anxiety and fear.

1.2 Statement of research problem

In an ideal world, schools would achieve their primary goals of teaching and learning by improving students' academic performance. Before entering secondary school, students were supposed to have basic literacy and numeracy skills. Unfortunately, many students are unable to read or write. Many of them are unable to complete their assignments without the assistance of their parents. Many students are unable to pass their common entrance examinations on their own. The majority of teachers and parents assist their children in completing such tests. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the causes of poor mathematics performance; however, the problem has remained unsolved to this day. Many studies claim that poor teaching methods and students' inherent fears of mathematics exacerbate the problems of mathematics. However, certain factors have been identified as contributing to students' poor math performance. These factors include teacher qualifications, pupil fears, mathematics teachers' teaching methods, and so on. These factors are based on opinion, despite research efforts aimed at confirming such opinions. On this note, the researcher thought it was important to look into the reasons for students' poor math performance. The research will go over all of this and more.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The primary objective of the study is as follows

1.     To find out The  Causes Of Poor Performance Of Pupils In Primary School Mathematics Examination.

2.     Examine the use of instructional materials on pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

3.     To find out if parents’ socio-economic background affect  pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

4.     Compare the performance of private and public primary school pupils in mathematics

1.4 Research hypothesis

H01: parents’ socio-economic background do not affect  pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

HA1: parents’ socio-economic background affect  pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

H02: the use of instructional materials do not affect  pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

HA2; the use of instructional materials affects pupils’ academic performance in  mathematics.

1.5 Significance of the study

The significance of this study cannot be underestimated as:

This study will examine Investigation Of The  Causes Of Poor Performance Of Pupils In Primary School Mathematics Examination.

The findings of this research work will undoubtedly provide the much needed information to government organizations, ministry of education and academia.

1.6 Scope of the study

This study examines  Investigation Of The  Causes Of Poor Performance Of Pupils In Primary School Mathematics Examination. Hence primary  schools pupils  in Katsina state will be used as case study

1.7 Limitations of the study

This study was constrained by a number of factors which are as follows:

 just like any other research, ranging from unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, inability to get data

Financial constraint , was faced by  the researcher ,in getting relevant materials  and  in printing and collation of questionnaires

Time factor: time factor pose another constraint since having to shuttle between writing of the research and also engaging in other academic work making it uneasy for the researcher

1.8 Operational definition of terms

Performance: an act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment.

Examination: a detailed inspection or study.

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