Problems of Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to find out the problems affecting the process of teaching of Mathematics in Secondary schools in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state. Specifically, the study sought to:
- find out instructional material problems affecting the teaching of Mathematics in Secondary schools
- determine teacher-related problems affecting the teaching of Mathematics in Secondary schools
- ascertain time-related problems affecting the teaching of Mathematics in Secondary schools and finally
- find out the prospects in minimize these problems
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Concept of Effective Teaching
Teachers are being asked to teach with multiple resources in today’s science education reform efforts, often in different ways than they have been trained or learned to teach themselves. It is important to note that mathematics teaching should be outcome-oriented and students focused, which can only be done if the students are motivated and the teachers are well disposed for using the correct methods and tools to teach the students (Adesoji & Olatunbosun, 2008).
In mathematics education, it is hoped that teachers should have a strong degree in knowledge as well as understanding in the content prior to bringing it into learners. This is seen to boost successful instruction in high institutions of learning. Tutors must grow students’ attention during learning as well as their feeling towards the subject through their teaching process. It is expected that teachers as experts with strong exposure and experience in mathematics can encourage student adjustment, align curriculum offerings with mental development rates, understand the basic cognitive of students and inspire students to learn the subject (Avwiri, 2011).
Availability of Instructional Resources on Effective Teaching
The provision of teaching tools increases schools’ effectiveness as these are fundamental aspects that can offer good student academic success. The insufficiency of human and material capital at learning institutions remains to be significant aspect accountable in student education outcomes. This means that schools with inadequate facilities such as libraries, labs, classrooms, instructional materials are unable to produce successful results (Atieno, 2014).
Considering the views of numerous authors such as Abubakar (2016) as well as Udonsa and Udonsa (2015) retained in their research that Adamawa State’s high schools were largely unequipped to provide training; the students do not have sufficient desks as well as being congested. In Nigeria, Takwate (2018) conducted a research to investigate allocation, availability and maintenance of school facilities in conjunction with the achievement in academia. The results showed a significant association between allocative efficiency, affordability, maintenance quality and academic success of students in that region. The report suggested that government ought to properly provide all of the state’s senior Secondary schools with effective facilities preparation and allocation processes, school principals would periodically perform detailed evaluations of amenities in their institutions to locate areas that require attention.
Lemmer (2000) causes which affect low high school student’s success in all subjects are numerous. The key problems of low success in any subject includes shortage of equipment and material services, high turnover of teachers and administrators, workload of students, lack of trained instructors, ineffective instructional techniques, insufficient communication pupils abilities and also instructors in the language of education.
Students studying in science-based topics such as mathematics are closely linked to hypothetical and hands-on-experience, although others are disconnected during learning or scientific applications (Felder et al. 2013).
Padmanabhan (2001) avers that sufficiency of TLR defines the performance of an school program. Textbook and curriculum resources are vital instruments for efficient teaching, their lack or inadequacy allows teachers treat topics in an abstract manner, presenting them as dull and non-exciting.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
A study design refers to procedure of requirements for the processing data in way that seeks to incorporate economic and operational importance to the research objective (Ahuja, 2010). The research employed survey design. In this context, this design research is described as collecting information from a survey of individuals by answering questions (Check & Schutt, 2012). This methodology allows for a range of ways of hiring volunteers, collecting data, and using specific instrumentation techniques.
Target Population
Groves et al (2011) proclaim that the target population for a sample consists of the complete set of elements that employs survey data to draw interpretations. It thus defines all groups about which the survey results are supposed to generalize. The setting of research goals is the first step in the design of a survey. The second move would be to identify accessible elements. The study population for the research constituted Mathematics students in Mbaise L.G.A. They were chosen because they are well prepared to comprehend the problem being investigated. In Table 1 the target population is seen.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF DATA
Research Question 1
What are the instructional materials related challenges in the teaching Mathematics in Secondary schools in Imo state?
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
- For effective delivery of science and technology education, sufficient and varieties of
- science and technology textbooks should be made available in all Secondary schools.
- standard and functional workshops should be built in schools. Other instructional materials like audio-visual media and information and communication technologies should be installed and their use made compulsory in
- Alternative steady power supplies should be made available for the schools so as to allow the insufficient time with the electrically operated equipment/facilities in the
- Mathematics curriculum is not difficult to teach and learn if qualified science specialist teachers handle
- Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, (TRCN) should therefore ensure that only qualified and professional teachers, who are legally registered, are allowed to
Conclusion
If the technology of our country must grow, then a firm foundation is required at the basic education levels. Government, stakeholders and relevant school authorities must endeavour to provide the basic instructional materials. The workshops and laboratories must also be built and well equipped to enhance proper teaching of Mathematics at thejunior secondary levels. This is important, so that these students will not be left behind, bearing in mind the ever impelling forces of globalization and localization. In the light of Allen (2009) globalization refers to the transformation of local and regional realities into global ones, uniting the peoples of the world in a single global market and society. For Eyibe (2004) Globalization is a process of continuing integration of the countries of the world, and localization is the desire for self-determination and the devolution of power; whichever way, advancement in technology is necessary and acutely needed in our society.
Mathematics has become common in many countries and has been taught in different forms and with different motives. A focus in Mathematics education should be on infrastructural development and technological advancement and thus should be viewed as fundamentally critical. Its duty is to prepare young students and even adults to engage positively and meaningfully with their environments and the world to build a formidable and durable scientific culture, industrialization and a robust economy. The Federal and State Ministries of education, stakeholders and other relevant authorities in education should develop in Mathematics a pedagogical methodology that consists of the raising of scientific awareness, the nurturing of scientific passion and engagement in technological skill acquisition and development, Raising scientific and technological awareness involves promoting the understanding and appropriation of scientific knowledge by a wide audience as a recognized necessity in a world where technological considerations play a major role in terms of economics and society. For Woodman and Long (2014) technology crucially contributes to a country’s market development, and boosting productivity, Nurturing the scientific passion is about engaging in activities that will make science and technology have an appeal for the people both young and old. This step aims to transform beliefs of impossibility and unnecessary dogmatism by giving students the chance to explore ex experiment and practice some hitherto theoretical inundations. The final step is an invitation to action.
This action involves proper implementation of the Mathematics curriculum through correct teaching methods. This is why it is important that care is taken to employ all the necessary means possible, namely: sufficient and adequate instructional materials, good Mathematics teachers, ample time and proper funding, to ensure that the teaching of Mathematics is a worthwhile venture. Clearly, it is a cliché that actions speak louder than words. Practical reality is far more useful that illusory dreaming about future scientific and technological bliss. It is a known fact that technological development has not been at its best here in Nigeria. We ought to develop our own technology and shun unnecessary importations in respect of which Ume-Martin & Ebede (2013) believe that one of the major constraints hindering the country’s march towards human development, industrialization and robust economy is the massive and exploitative importation of technology, goods and services from other countries. It is against this benchmark that Onwumere (2014) opined that if Nigeria still nurses the dream of becoming relevant in the technological arena, she must of necessity pay a rapt attention to the development of science and technology or run the risk of occupying the position of a western technological dumping ground. One may then conclude that more resources both human and material be ‘channeled in order to rescue the dismal technological condition of Nigeria.
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