Causes of Low Performance in Mathematics

Abstract

This is a survey research related to find the "causes of low performance in mathematics." The objectives of this study were to find the causes of low performance in mathematics at secondary level and to recommend the solution to mitigate the low performance of secondary students in mathematics learning. For, Ninety students from three secondary school were selected by using stratified random sampling. The teachers of selected schools were also chosen. The study focused to find causes of low performance and so the facts which influence the performance were explored. Semi-structured interview schedule for teachers and structured questionnaire for students were used as tools of data collection. FGD and classroom observation were also applied to find the causes of low performance. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean and the qualitative information were analyzed by thematic process. The major findings of the study were pre-knowledge of students, practice and participation, teacher's training and implication, method, motivation and materials, teaching learning environment of the school directly affect on student's mathematics performance. Thus it is concluded that low performance is the function of weak academic foundation of students, poor assessment and promotion practices. Finally the study suggests teachers should identify pre-mathematical knowledge of students before teaching every unit and also should focus on better teaching learning activities from lower level of school not only in class eight or SEE, teacher training should be given in demand base, the ministry of education should provide training on use of ICT and materials to the mathematics teacher and also should encourage to use of ICT and teaching material in class room. and parents should attention about their children.