Motivational factors for choosing mathematics as a major subject at higher secondary level

Abstract

This study focuses on the Motivational Factors for Choosing Mathematics as a Major Subject at Higher Secondary Level. This is a qualitative research with case study research design. The objectives of this study were to explore the motivational factors of girls and boys choosing mathematics as a major subject and to dig out the strategies for making mathematics learning meaningful. This study was conducted on the sample from the Laboratory Secondary School, Kirtipur selected through purposive sampling. One mathematics teacher and two boys and two girl's students were chosen purposively as the sample for the study. Direct interview with students and math's teacher were taken. Classroom observation was done for two times in different days during teaching learning activities. The collected information from teachers and students were analyzed with the help of theoretical and conceptual framework developed by the researcher. This study concluded that, there exist different motivational factors for choosing mathematics as a major subject and there are different ways of constructing mathematical knowledge. Opportunity for good job, motivation to learn mathematics, special priority for mathematics learner and priority for mathematics students in society are the major factors to chose mathematics as a major subjects. There is a lack of knowledge which motivating students to study mathematics as a major. It is recommended that priority should be given to the mathematics students in our society and positive attitudes should be created towards learning mathematics to increase the students with majoring mathematics.