Difficulties in Learning Mathematics of Dalit Girl Students at Secondary Level

Abstract

This is a qualitative research related entitled the difficulties in learning mathematics of Dalit girl students at secondary level. The objectives of this study were to find the areas of difficulties in learning mathematics of Dalit girl students and to find the causes of difficulties faced by Dalit girls students in learning mathematics at secondary level. This is a qualitative study of case study design. Study was conducted with the sample size of four Dalit girl student of grade X from Shree Achane Secondary School Tripurasundari, Dhading. The sestudents were selected on the basis of purposive sampling. Mathematics achievement test, classroom observation and semi-structured interview were the data collection tools of the study. Based on reviewed literature and different concepts of theories, data have been analyzed and interpreted to find out the causes of difficulties in learning mathematics. It was found that the prior knowledge, skill of application of formula, teaching strategy, home environment,gender discrimination, and mathematics anxiety affects to learn mathematics. Dalit girl students haven't enough time to do homework and to do more practice due to workload at home. Student centered teaching strategy should be used in teaching learning activities. Individual teaching should be needed to special students for fulfilling the prior knowledge to them. It was seemed to lift up the level of awareness of parents. Parents should provide extra classes to their daughters to improve their learning mathematics. School and local government should launching various scholarship programme and discount in tuition fee of Dalit girl students. Parents also had to manage enough time to study at home without any discrimination between son and daughter.