Interest towards Learning and Mathematics Achievement among Students in Selected Junior Secondary Schools, Niger State, Nigeria
- February 15, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRSI, Mathematics
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
A. Musbahu (PhD); Oluyemo A. A; Dr. I. Amos & Alhassan D. Safo
Niger State College of Education, MINNA, Niger State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study assessed interest towards learning and mathematics achievement among students in selected Junior Secondary School, Niger State, Nigeria. Correlation Survey design was adopted for the study. The target population for this study consists of 5,368 (2,705 male and 2,663 female) JSS 1 students in 2012/2013 academic session from 92 public and private Junior Secondary Schools in Zone ‟B‟ of Niger State. The sample of this study consist 361 (219 public school students and 179 private school students) and multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was employed in the selection. Two instruments were developed for the study which consists of an Inventory on Students‟ Interest in Mathematics (ISIM) and a Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT). Descriptive statistic (mean and Standard Deviation), biseria correlation and its associated simple regression of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method were used to establish relationship between the variables and to test null hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The instruments were validated and the reliability coefficient was established using
the test-retest method. The data obtained were analyzed using mean with the criterion mean set at 2.5.The findings of the study revealed that students in private schools excel in Mathematics more than students in public schools but students in public schools are more interested in Mathematics than their counterpart in private schools. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended amongst others that students should develop positive attitude towards the learning of Mathematics. This can be done through adopting good strategy and study habit.
Keywords: Mathematics, Students‟ Interest, Students‟ Achievement.
Introduction
Mathematics is a core subject in Nigerian secondary school curricular. Its inclusion justifies the recognition of Mathematics as being essential tool for national development as it is used by scientists and industrialist. More so, Mathematics is the foundation of all sciences, technology and modern development, and for any nation to survive and develop, that nation has to improve its technology which could be achieved through the effective teaching and learning of Mathematics (Agwagah&Gimba, 2013). In addition, Mathematics as a subject is very important to the daily life of every individual as it aids the development of knowledge and the required skills in problem solving situations.
