CAUSES AND EFFECT OF STUDENT’S FAILURE OF MATHEMATICS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

ABSTRACT: The main purpose of this study is to find out the causes and effect of student’s failure of mathematics in senior secondary school certificate examination using Secondary Schools in Markurdi LGA as case study. The study adopted the survey descriptive research design and with the aid of convenience sampling method, the researcher purposively selected one hundred and fifty (150) participant for the study. Self- structure questionnaire was issued to the respondent of which one hundred forty-one (141) was retrieved and validated for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage, presented in frequencies and tables. Hypothesis test was conducted using Chi-Square Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v.23). Findings of the study reveals that student ratio to teachers, absence of instructional materials, lack of teacher’s motivation, laziness of student, inadequate teaching skill are all causes of senior secondary school certificate examination. Findings also revealed that when these problems are not identified and tackled it can lead to students dropping out of school, exhibiting behavioural problems and developing greater academic deficiencies. The study therefore recommends that   Teachers should develop positive relationship with students and stress classroom activities, that will involve active teaching-learning process. More so, Students should create enough time for personal practice of mathematics questions in order for it to be part of them.  Finally, Secondary schools management Ministry of Education, professional bodies such as the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), Science Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (STAN) and other stakeholders in the education industry should organize periodic seminars and workshops for students,  teachers and school administrators on the need to revival the perennial poor performance in Mathematics.