Causes and Remedial Ways of Mathematics Anxiety in Secondary Level Students

Abstract

Mathematics Anxiety is a fear, anxious feelings and occurs thousands of school level students. But, anxiety itself isn't a great deal the great deal is the question that; what causes it? The main focus of this study was to find out the major causes of mathematics anxiety in secondary school level students and to suggest the question how anxiety can be reduced? To answer these questions, researcher has considered qualitative research approach with case study design. The cases of the study were five studentswho have high mathematics anxiety score. Natural setting classroom observation, semi-structured interview schedule and focus group discussion were used as tools of information collection from related stakeholders such as; teachers, students, parents and administration. Thematic network analysis and triangulation approach of data analysis method were applied to analysis and interpretation the collected data. As a result there were several serious causes of mathematics anxiety was found. Destruction of infrastructure of school of by earthquake, bad reading and learning environment at home, poor participatory class activities, badly engagement of students in latest social medias, lost of habit of doing homework and practices, lost of self-motivation, lack offormative evaluation system etc. contributed to yield the anxiety in mathematics. Same way, there were suggested various ideas, methods and teaching strategies to minimize such anxieties. Teaching conceptual and understanding mathematics, using technologies, audio-visual materials, promote students participation, build up habit of doing homework and practices, good cooperation and help of parents etc. were seen as major remedial ways of mathematics anxiety.