CAUSES OF POOR PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KAABONG SUB-COUNTY, K.AABONG DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

This research investigated into the causes of poor performance in mathematics in

selected primary schools; Kaabong Sub-Coun1y, Kaabong District.

This objectives of this study were: to find out the methods teachers use in teaching

mathematics in primary schools, to establish whether types of instructional

materials used by mathematics teachers affect pupils' perfonnance and to establish

students' attitudes towards mathematics and the impact on performance in this

discipline.

The study was conducted in eight primary schools with the respondents being

pupils, teachers and the headteachers of the selected schools.

The study was conducted using cross-sectional survey design because it enabled

the researcher to obtain correlated data from different variables.

The research tools used in this study were questionnaires and interview guide and

used both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

The data was analysed using percentage and frequencies for comprehensive

analysis.

The research findings were that most teachers use problem solving methods in

teaching mathematfos as indicated at 100% while few of them use lecture methods

as indicated at 06%. It was also fund out that the use of instructional materials in

mathematics classes was almost negligible.

In this study, it was recommended that the ministry of education should harmonize

the policy of teaching mathematics by providing teaching and learning resource

organize in-service training for mathematics teachers and among others.