A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS MATHEMATICS IN KWALE DISTRICT, KENY

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the students' attitude towards

mathematics in_ the secondary schools in Kwale district, Kenya.

The study had objectives based on the following;

Adequacy of mathematics teachers, peer influence, teacher qualification,

frequency of evaluation, teaching methods used, students' ambitions, influence

·of wider society and home background.

Three questionnaires were used, one for head teachers, another for mathematics

teachers and other for students. Four schools out of twenty eight schools were

selected in the district. The sample consisted of 150 students and 8 teachers.

The study fol.ind that adequacy of mathematics teachers had no major influence

on the students' attitude towards ma.thematics, frequency of evaluation and

factors such as teacher qualification, peer influence, previous performance,

teaching methods used and student's ambition to greatly affect the students'

· attitudes towards mathematics. The study concluded that with positive peer

influence, varying teaching methods, students ambitions based on careers which

involve mathematics subject, frequent evaluation and qualified teachers would

greatly give students positive attitude towards the subject.

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