Problem Faced by Girl Students in Learning Algebra

Abstract

This study related to explore the girl students' difficulties and to find out the major causes that effect the girl students in learning algebra at Grade VIII. Five public schools were selected from Bhangaha municipality of Mahottari district by using nonrandom sampling method which were Shree Janata Basic Level School, Shree Ma.Vi. Bhangaha, Shree Rastriya Basic Level School, Shree Sarbajanik Ma.Vi. and Shree Kishori Janata Ma.Vi.. Achievement test, face to face interview schedule and classroom observation was used as tools to collect the data. Achievement test was conducted within 50 girl students. And ten girl students, five mathematics teachers and five parents were selected for face to face interview. The classroom was observed for 5 days with observation tool in the role of participation and non-participation. The obtained data from achievement test was analyzed using simple mathematical tools mean same as data obtained from interview and classroom observation were analyzed using thematic method. The researcher analyzed the obtained data with help of conceptual understanding on the basis of difficulties on comprehending variable, algebraic expression, solving equation and word problem. The results indicated number of difficulties categories under each area. Under variables, girl students were unable to differentiate like and unlike term and their simplification. The abstract structure of algebraic expressions posed many problems to girl students such as distributive error in bracket expansion, difficulty in operating with the negative integers. Inadequate understanding of the uses of equal sign and its properties were major difficulties in solving equation. Girl students were confused not only lack of technical words vocabulary but also translating algebraic form with proper sign. The causes of difficulties in algebra are due to the lack of prerequisite knowledge, solving ways and rules, traditional teaching methods and did not use of teaching materials. Similarly, poor economical status of parents, household work, parents' educational status, occupation, traditional views towards girl's education, girl's interest, lack of motivation to learn mathematics.