DETERMINANTS OF STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA, NIGERIA

The study examined determinants of students’ academic performance in Mathematics among Senior Secondary School students in Federal Capital Territory Abuja. The objectives of the study were to find out whether parental factors, teacher’s factors and students’ factors affect students’ academic performance in Mathematics. A descriptive survey design was used. The population of the study was 6479 which comprised 6443 Senior Secondary School students and 36 Senior Secondary School Mathematics teachers in Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Multiple stage sampling method was used to select 361 Senior Secondary School students while purposive sampling technique was used to select 36 Senior Secondary School Mathematics teachers. The instrument of the study was questionnaire tagged “Determinant of Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire” (DSAPQ) that was structured in the pattern of Likert 4-point rating scale of agreement. The reliability coefficient of the rating scale was 0.82. Mean was used to answer the research questions, while ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. From the study, it was observed that provision of relevant mathematics textbooks, regular payment of school fees, students’ motivation to learn mathematics, teacher’s interest for teaching profession, teacher’s teaching methodology, learners’ interest in mathematics, constant studying of mathematics, peer group influence among others are the determinant factors affecting students’ academic performance in mathematics among Senior Secondary Schools in Abuja. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students should always be regular in the class, encouraged to have passion for mathematics, workshops or seminars should be organized for mathematics teachers on methods of teaching and other aspects that can improve teaching, parents should endeavour to provide enabling environment for their wards to study at home and visit the school regularly to check their wards academic performance in mathematics.

Key words: Academic performance, determinants, Mathematics, Senior Secondary schools