Factors Influencing Mathematics Achievement: A Case of Pahari Students

Abstract

The topic of this study is “Factors Influencing Mathematics Achievement: A Case of Pahari Students”. This is a case study, which is qualitative and descriptive in nature. The objectives of this study were to analyze the factors that affect the mathematics achievement of Pahari students and to dig out the strategies used by school to improve mathematics achievement for Pahari students at Basic Level. The researcher selected six Paharistudents (three boys and three girls) for the case respondents from grade VIII of the Shree Arunodaya Secondary School Simthali-2, Kavrepalanchok district purposively for this study.The researcher used interview schedule, observation note and related documents as tools for data collection. The interviews were conducted with case Pahari students, their parents, pre- math teacher and head teacher about their experience, opinions, feelings and knowledge for collecting necessary data. Those collected information were analyzed on the basis of conceptual framework and data were validated and supported by the social constructivist theory and empirical review. Findings of this study arethe economic condition of Pahari parents found very poor and illiterate.They use their children as a means of earning support. So the Pahari students do not get opportunity to learn mathematics at home and school. The school environment is not good for teaching learning activities. The school has not conducted any suitable strategies to improve mathematics achievement of Pahari students. This study concluded that home environment, school environment, parent's education and occupation, interest of learner, teacher and student relation and assessment technique are the main factors influencing mathematics achievement of Pahari students.