EFFECTS OF LOCATION OF SCHOOL ON PUPILS PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN SOME SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OLUYOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

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ABSTRACT

This study assessed and investigated the effects of location of schools in Oluyole local government within Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria.It is a descriptive survey research design. The study involves data collection to gather information from three hundred and twenty (320) pupils in eight primary schools typical of urban and rural in Oluyole local government within Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state. Collected data were analyzed with relevant data for the study. The eight primary schools involved were selected based on simple random sampling technique and statistical tools employed to analyse the data collected were percentages means scores. Two research questions and two null hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The result among other things revealed that, that there was a marked difference in the performance of pupils in Urban and rural schools at the promotion exams with impressive means scores obtained in urban schools (urban=21.42 respectively; rural=18.75 respectively).

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

  • Background of the study

Mathematics is an important subject in the school curriculum as it is considered a body of knowledge very useful to the nation.

Mathematics is the science of number and space and the language of science and technology. It is an essential requirement by every field of intellectual endeavour and human development to cope with the challenges of life. Mathematics is regarded as the queen and servant of all the school subjects since it cuts across the school curricular. It is equally seen as the language used to describe the problems arising in technology. It relates among other school subjects in areas like numbers and numeration, variations, graphs, fruition, solution of equation and area and volumes (Bell 1952).

Mathematics remains one of the core and compulsory subjects for the Nigerian students at both primary and post primary school levels. To some extent, fear and negative attitude towards mathematics prevents its effective learning at the primary school, which contributes to the current level of poor performance of students in mathematics.

According to Ajagun (2000), the performance of students in primary schools in Nigeria has remain an issue of concern to all stakeholders dwelling more on the fear of mathematics by students. Therefore, relentless efforts have been made by researchers to identify factors associated with students academic performance in mathematics.

Ajayi (2000) identifies poor methods of teaching and lack of resourcefulness. Researchers have identified factors associated with the mathematics curriculum implementation. Some of the problems identified were poor family structure, location of school, poor study habits, intellectual ability, individual intelligence, knowledge and ability Olutola (2000).

In tackling the problems, Sangoleye and Arowolo (2016) recommended that government should be more committed in terms of adequate funding of schools, provision of necessary facilities in schools, teachers should be adequately trained and retrained through seminars and workshops.

Mathematics by nature is regarded as the life wire of science most especially physics and chemistry. In modern time of technology, mathematics plays an important role to the extent that without it, nothing could be achieved as far as technological advancement is concerned. This means that technologically, we cannot do without the knowledge of mathematics. If mathematics is so indispensable to human survival, then the seriousness of poor performance of students in the subject is of great concern to educationists in Nigeria. As one of the foundational subjects which act as basic necessity for understanding developmental processes, mathematics among subjects at the secondary school level and the primary school level is the heart of modern society. Therefore, the study discussed the areas of relationship between the location of school and academic performance of mathematics students. Hence, the study analyzed the extent at which location of schools affects the performance of students in mathematics in Oluyole local government primary schools.

 

  • Statement of the problem

Mathematics in schools needs to be well handled due to the consistent diminishing performance of students in mathematics.

Dismal performance of students in mathematics has become a great concern among stakeholders in educational subsector in Nigeria primary schools observably. As such, due to the importance of mathematics in students’ academic pursuit it is therefore, necessary to find out the effects of school location on the academic performance of the mathematics students. This is to ensure desirable outcome in mathematics.

  • Purpose of the study

In relevance to the above stated problem of low achievement and poor performance of students in mathematics in primary schools in Nigeria, cause responsible for this trend must be identified and corrected. The objectives of the study examined therefore if there exists any relationship between the location of the school and performance of students in mathematics.

 

  • Research question

Based on the focus of the research, attempts will be made to answer the following research questions.

  1. Is there any relationship between the location of a school and the performance of students in mathematics?
  2. How does the school location look like?

 

  • Hypothesis

In relevance to the above questions, the following hypothesis were tested

Hoi- Determining whether or not there is significant correlation between location of school and pupils’ performance in mathematics.

Hoii- Determining whether or not there is significant correlation between pupils performance and the look of the school location.

 

 

 

  • Scope of the study

The scope of the study covered selected primary schools in Oluyole local Government only to examine the effects of location of schools on pupils’ performance of mathematics.

 

  • Operational Definition of Terms

To attain proper understanding and clarifications of the terms used in the study. It is therefore necessary to give the operational definitions of some of the terms and concept used in the study.

  1. Location:- Location refers to the place where the schools are sited.
  2. Performance:- Performance refers to the achievement of the students in a given test or examination.