Factors Affecting Mathematics Achievement of Ethnic Students

Abstract

Ethnic students in the remote villages of Kathmandu district have little access to education and have difficulty in learning mathematics. This study employed, questionnaire and interview schedule to 60 Ethnic Students of grade IX, their teachers, 20 low achiever Ethnic Students and their parents. Social cognitive theory was applied as the theoretical framework. The objectives of this study are to find out the factors that determined ethnic students mathematical result and to suggest some remedies to reduce affecting factors. The tools for the research were questionnaire and interview from the analysis of collected data. Prior knowledge, favorite subject, presented regularly in math class, no consultation with friends and teachers to learn missed classes subject matter, environment of school, higher education of the subject teacher, Parent’s higher education, inappropriate environment of the family, social belief and tradition, household work load, lack of motivation are the major factors affecting the mathematics achievement of Ethnic Students. To improve the situation, Ethnic students should be motivated to be regular in class. Providing necessary educational material, interaction between their parents and teachers, motivation by parents and teachers, appropriate environment to learn and tuition and extra classes to improve in mathematics are other important steps that would help improve the situation.