Causes of poor students’ academic performance in mathematics among junior high school students in Bantama Sub – Metro in Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to students’ poor performance in mathematics at selected junior high schools in Bantama Sub – Metro in Kumasi Metropolis. The sample for the study consisted of all Junior high school students preparing for the final examination that comprised of 337. Questionnaire in the form of likert format ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5) was used to collect data. The methodological inquiries was quantitative research approaches using descriptive cross-sectional design which included the following statistical analyses: mean and standard deviation and percentages were employed to answer the research questions of the study. Findings indicated students that show no interest in math class because of Mathematics phobia existence among junior high school students in the study area, the exhibition of poor knowledge of mathematics content by many mathematics teachers and poor teaching methods by teachers were the major factors that affect their performance in Mathematics and students mind go blank and they were unable to think when working mathematics. Based on these findings it was recommended that Ministry of education either directly or through its agents should enhance primary school pupils Mathematics background through inclusion of more introductory Mathematics concepts in the primary Mathematics syllabus and also motivate teachers. This includes subsidizing of house rents. The provision of incentives towards mathematics courses in universities and Colleges of Education through grant-in-aids and scholarships should be considered. This will help in training more mathematics teachers. Again, there is need to develop a love for mathematics through the setting up of “Mathematics Club” in every junior school.