1.1 Introduction
Mathematics is one of the core subjects that students are expected to have credit to further their studies in institutions of higher learning (Adejumo, Oluwole & Muraina, 2015). However, Mathematics is one of the subjects that is taken very seriously in the school system, irrespective of country or level of education. It has been described as a model of thinking which encourages learners to observe, reflect and reason logically about a problem and in communicating ideas, making it the central intellectual discipline and a vital tool in science, commerce and technology (Uwadiae, 2014). This perennial decline has remained a source of concern to science educators, Mathematicians and Mathematics Educators (Nnuka and Anackwe, 2004).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Mathematics is an aspect of science dealing with numbers. These numbers which are basic element of mathematics are abstract because these objects, which cannot be hold, felt or seen. The field of mathematics, due to its broad nature has been divided into number of branches. These include Arithmetic’s, geometry, algebra, analytic geometry, calculus and statistics, mathematics is a compulsory subject for all students in secondary schools in Nigeria. Mathematics, a subject, dislike by many students is considered both demanding and difficult due to its abstract nature. The obstacle which thwarts proper inculcation and assimilation of some mathematical processes by teacher and students emanate from a variety of ways. Mathematics occupies a central place in the school curriculum of all level of the Nigeria school system.
Mathematics is bedrock of science and technology. No nature can hope to achieve any measure of scientific and technology advancement without proper foundation in school mathematics (Emalkwa, 1996, Iyorum, 2006). Mathematics as well as sciences provides the basic for a country social economic emancipation and they cannot be totally separated from the pace of development in any nation. Also no home can function effectively in the absence of modern day technology break through which mathematics has a hand in it. The entire world has been reduced to global village as a result of the scientific and technology principal and application of mathematics presumable for the purpose of economic survival. The ordinary citizen needs to be able to compare and estimate value for his/her provision, weight evidence and be able to improve standards of living. Despite its significance, mathematics teaching/learning especially in the secondary school has suffered a great set back. Students find themselves memorizing mathematics formula for the purpose of passing examination; students find it difficult to conceptualize the topics taught. Most at times mathematics teachers themselves show lack of interest in the teaching of mathematics in our secondary school today’s one disturbing situation is that, majority of the students find it difficult in the senior secondary school certificate examination(SSSCE) in mathematics.
The problem of inadequate manpower’ backwardness of the students’ poor method of teaching, how quality of textbooks and different attitude to the teaching of mathematics by teachers or administrators account for the failure or poor performance of students in mathematics in secondary schools. There is needs to stamp out these fault from this various quarters which militate against the successful teaching of mathematics to enable the students perform well in examination, reason logically understand, use their initiatives and muster sequential practices in the discipline of mathematics.
Betiku (2003) argued that teachers are the main determinants of quality education. According to him, if they are apathetic, immoral and anti- social, the whole nation will be doomed, but if they are ignorant of their disciplines and impact wrong information, they are not only useless but dangerous. Lack of knowledge of a particular concept, qualification and negligence to teach, syllabus coverage is some of the reasons why contents in some schools are not covered. Other variables include, lack of instructional materials, public holidays which reduces school time, teachers years of experience, availability of infrastructure facilities to mention but a few. Offorma (2006) therefore opined that instructional material must be adequately provided for and guidance and counseling services readily available for students to reduce educational casualties.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the factors responsible for mass failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Perhaps not much attention has been given to the performance of students in junior secondary school subjects in recent years. This neglect, no doubt has relegated this junior subjects to the background in our junior secondary certificate examination. The poor performance is caused by many factors such as;
- Students ineffective study techniques in learning mathematics.
- Quantity and quality of teachers teaching mathematics as a subject.
- Methods of teaching Mathematics by the teachers.
- The Parent’s inability to provide useful learning materials like textbooks, exercise books and school fees.
- Problem of inadequate instructional materials for teaching and learning of mathematics in schools and so on.
There is a general impression that mathematics is difficult by its very nature, and because of this impression, there is poor performance among junior secondary school students who are the focus of this study. This poor performance in mathematics has been attributed to two broad factors which include: Hereditary and environmental factors which can be subdivided into students, home, teachers, and school factors (Ola, 2018).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the factors responsible for mass failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain the impact of quantity and quality of mathematics teachers in Senior Secondary School,
- To examine the level of provision and utilization of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics,
- To determine the consequences of mass failures on the students in Senior Secondary School,
- To find out the causes of mathematics failure in Senior Secondary School Certificate in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there consequences of mass failures on the students in Senior Secondary School?
- What is the impact of quantity and quality of mathematics teachers in Senior Secondary School?
- What is the level of provision and utilization of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics?
- What are the causes of mathematics failure in Senior Secondary School Certificate in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant consequences of mass failures on the students attending Senior Secondary School in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State
- H1: There are significant consequences of mass failures on the students attending Senior Secondary School in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State
1.7 Significance of Study
The student will be able to appreciate the importance of the effective domain like interest and motivation in improving their performance. With this awareness, the student might put up a positive attitude towards mathematics which will increase their performance and enhance higher grades in senior secondary school certificate examination.
Teachers will also be able to adjust their teaching methods and offer remedial helps where they find out that student are putting up a low attitude. State government will also see the need of guidance and counseling in each school, the ministry of education and curriculum planners for better organization of senior subjects in education.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the assessment of the factors responsible for mass failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Secondary Education: secondary education normally takes place in secondary school, taking place after primary education and may be followed by higher education or vocational training.
Examination: A test of capacity and knowledge. It is a determinant of a learner’s strength and weakness necessary for his/her academic adjustment and work life.
Academic: Academic is connected with education, especially in schools and universities.
Teaching: The act of imparting knowledge.
Learning: It is a relatively permanent change in behavior that results from teaching.
Academic: Academic is connected with education, especially in schools and universities.
