THE CHALLENGES OF TEACHING AND LEARNING OF MATHEMATICS: (A CASE STUDY OF OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study: It is a commonly held belief that a strong foundation in mathematics is essential to the socioeconomic, scientific, and political growth of any country. Because of this widespread occurrence, all countries throughout the world have made mathematics a required subject in all aspects of their educational systems (Sokoto & Kalu 2021). In most cases, a basic comprehension of mathematical ideas develops at an early age. When this opportunity is lost, it gives birth to worry, which might manifest as feelings of tension, apprehension, or dread, all of which interfere with one's ability to do well in mathematics. Some pupils in secondary education experience mathematics anxiety as a result of their tendency to misunderstand the subject's fundamental concepts (Kulbir 2022).

According to Umionyang (1997), mathematics is the cornerstone for science, and he said that a nation cannot ever be rich and economically independent if it has a strong foundation in mathematics. In addition, he made the point that having a solid grasp of mathematics opens up numerous doors to opportunities for employees in the fields of business, research, and technology as well as education. Taking into account the contributions that mathematics has made to the modern world, one may have anticipated an increase in interest in the subject as a field that is genuinely the language of science and technology. However, it appears that the opposite is the case (Odili 2021).

The results of tests in mathematics are not very good, according to a personal investigation that was carried out. It is ironic that in our pre-scientific and technologically-oriented world, the youths who would have taken charge of global affairs in the future, including the running of industries and the means of production, research laboratories, space technology, and international politics, shy away from the very subject that should have adequately prepared them for such roles as global leaders. These youths are avoiding the subject of global politics. The growing exodus of students from the secondary school concerns us greatly (Sokoto & Kalu 2021).

We are aware of the historical facts that the ancient indigenous societies were ahead of their time when it came to mathematics, and as a result, they achieved significant scientific discoveries. In Nigeria and Edo State in particular, student performance in mathematics in secondary schools has consistently reflected poor performance over the years. This is perhaps something that could be attributed to the various problems associated with the teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools (Sokoto & Kalu 2021).

According to Uwadiae (2009), who was cited in punch newspaper, 2009, it was said that seventy seven percent (77 percent) of the candidates who participated in the 2008 West African School Certificate Examination did not receive credit in mathematics. Since mathematics was introduced into the curriculum with proper study, so many problems have been confronting effective teaching and learning of mathematics, such as: i.The attitude of students towards the learning of mathematics. In light of this national challenge, this study sought to find out what could have influenced the problem. Since mathematics was introduced into the curriculum with proper study, so many problems have been confronting effective teaching and learning of mathematics.

ii. The use of non-mathematics specialists or instructors who lack the necessary qualifications to teach mathematics in some Nigerian schools.

iii.The absence of appropriate educational facilities, such as mathematics laboratories, in educational institutions.

iv.An inappropriate approach to the instruction of mathematical concepts.

a. Too many students enrolled in mathematics classes (Kulbir 2022).

The lukewarm attitudes of some mathematics teachers and their ineffectiveness lack mathematical education are examples of the challenges that are related with the teaching and learning of mathematics. In the context in which teaching and learning take place, there has been an observation of a lack of interaction between students and teachers (Kulbir 2022).

The instruction of, as well as the study of mathematics in secondary schools, is of the utmost importance. This is without a doubt due to the fact that mathematics is seen as a yardstick in the growth of any nation.

1.2 Statement of the problem

        The importance of mathematics to the world and to a nation’s technology breakthrough has been highlighted in the foregone section. This has been the reason why mathematics is given prominence in the school curriculum and timetable (Sokoto & Kalu 2021). However, in Edo State, the teaching and learning of mathematics have not been without problems. For some time now, there has been a growing concern over the poor teaching and learning of mathematics with the resultant [poor and falling standard in secondary schools’ student performance in mathematics. The West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination and other related examination body recognized in Nigeria have always indicated decrease in number of passes (Kulbir 2022).

        In addition, students are likely to attend schools that are poorly constructed with inadequate teaching and learning facilities. The curriculum with an overcrowded syllabus. Most mathematics teachers lack teaching affective characteristic and insufficient teacher training program (Odili 2021). On the side of students, is loss of interest in learning mathematics and the teachers not showing enough motivation to arouse student’s interest in learning mathematics?

        To what extent would all these problems of teaching and learning mathematics affect student performance in mathematics education? All these prompted the researcher to identify problems of teaching and learning of mathematics in some selected schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State

1.3 Purpose of the study

        The main purpose of this study is to find out the challenges of teaching and learning of mathematics in Nigerian schools by considering;

1. The qualities of teachers teaching mathematics in Nigeria schools.

2. Availability of adequate teaching aids to teach mathematics effectively.

3. How environmental influence affect the performance of student in learning mathematics.

4. How students perceive mathematics as a subject.

1.4    Research question

The following research questions are put forth to guide the researcher in this study:

1. What are the qualities of teachers teaching mathematics in Nigerian schools?

2. Are there adequate availability of teaching aids to teach mathematics effectively?

3. To what extent does the environmental influence affect the performance of student in learning mathematics?

4. How do students perceive mathematics as a subject?   

1.5    Significance of the study

        The need for this research is to elicit useful information that could be the challenges of teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools. Not until useful ideas to the problems militating against mathematics education is unraveled, through a research of this kind, we will not be able to suggest useful and workable solutions to the problems.

        The research will be of help to policy makers in education, in review of curriculum development and implementation, proper repositioning of teacher training program and also be of help to teachers as it will expose areas where the teachers need to put more efforts in the teaching of mathematics. It will further help teachers in employing better techniques and methods of teaching to the best understanding of the students. In addition, the findings of this research will help students concerned to appreciate the subject mathematics, expose the importance of mathematics, the wonders, fun and happiness it gives thereby encouraging them to put in more effort and to remove every negative sentiments, and fear students have towards the study of mathematics.

        The study is an eye opener to the general public in making people see the usefulness of mathematics in day to day activities and the indispensible contribution of mathematics in nation building. It makes the society have a grasp of their action and inaction towards mathematical education.

1.6    Scope of the study

        This study is a quantitative survey that will cover five secondary schools selected in Ovia north East Local Government Area of Edo State. Both sexes of teachers and students shall be used as subjects to get information on the teaching and learning of mathematics through a self-report instrument (questionnaire).

1.7    Definition of terms

Problems:

This can be seen as obstacle that is hindering the effectiveness of a thing.

Teaching:

This is the process of imparting knowledge

Learning:

This is a process whereby there is a relative permanent change in behaviour due to impartation of knowledge.

Academic qualification:

Is an academic skills quality or attribute that make somebody suitable for a teaching job.

Teacher experience:

This is a kind of skill acquired through being involved in teaching over a period of time.

Teaching techniques:

Is the procedure or skill required to impart mathematics knowledge to the student.

Teaching aids:

Teaching materials that helps teacher in transmitting mathematical knowledge to the students.

Student motivation:

It is a positive reinforcement that stimulate students to show interest in learning mathematics.