Factors Affecting Poor Academic Performance in Earth Geometry at School Certificate Level: A Case of Three Selected Secondary Schools in Mansa District

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Factors Affecting Poor Academic Performance in Earth Geometry at School Certificate Level: A Case of Three Selected Secondary Schools in Mansa District

Jason Chisenga^1*, Justina Mulenga²

¹School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Mathematics, Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia.
²School of Graduate Studies, Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
*Corresponding Author

Abstract: – Most research in Mathematics education concentrate on factors affecting performance in mathematics in general, little research considers factors affecting performance in Earth Geometry. Thus, this study investigates factors affecting poor academic performance in earth geometry at school certificate level. This was a case of three selected secondary schools in Mansa District of Luapula province. Sixty six grade twelve pupils were randomly selected to participate in the study, and sixteen mathematics teachers were also purposively selected to form the sample population. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS (version 20), which allowed for simple frequency counts and percentages and data from interviews were analyzed thematically. The results might be so useful to policy makers, the government, teachers of mathematics, and teacher training colleges and universities in coming up with policies that enhances conducive teaching and learning of Earth Geometry. The study established that the topic had many formulae, the topic was not well taught due to teachers aiming at finishing covering the syllabus, and the topic lacked practical examples from local communities. The findings further revealed that there was need to introduce basic Earth Geometry at junior level and relevant text books needed to be supplied in schools. An implication for policy makers is that inclusion of formulae on the topic in the Examination Council of Zambia examination paper would reduce miss application of formulae.

Key words: Mathematics Education, Earth geometry, poor academic performance, case study, Zambia.

I. INTRODUCTION

The knowledge of mathematics is an essential tool in our society (Baroody, 1987). It is a tool that can be used in our daily life to overcome the difficulties faced (Bishop, 1996). Due to this mathematics has been considered as one of the most important core subject in the Zambian school curriculum (MoE, 1996).

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