The relationships between students’ attitude towards mathematics and their performance in mathematics

It is said that mathematics is the gate and key of the sciences. According to the famous philosopher Kant, “A science is exact only in so far as it employs mathematics”. So all scientific education which does not commence with mathematics is said to be defective at its foundation, In fact it has formed the basis for the evolution of scientific development all over. Taking into cognizance, the usefulness, relevance and importance of mathematics, like bringing positive changes to the scientific world, creating and enhances critical thinking and intellectual reasoning in human beings tends to make mathematics a jewel of an inestimable value.

Despite the outstanding relevance of mathematics to the society and as a tool in the learning of science, the students’ performance in the subject over the years has been on the decrease. According to Lassa (1984) many research efforts aimed at explaining the poor performance in mathematics have centered more on such factors of mathematics curriculum, instructional method and instructional materials. These approaches however have succeeded in achieving little and limited success to the situation which hitherto has been a major source of concern to all the stake holders in the corridor of mathematics curriculum planning and development.