PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS' AND PUPILS' ATTITUDES TOWARD MATHEMATICS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PUPILS' ACHIEVEMENT IN MANYA KROBO DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to determ ine whether any signiticant difference existed between primary class six boys and girls attitude toward mathematics and their effects on achievement. Also, to determine whether any significant difference existed between boys' and girls' achievement in mathematics. Finally. the study sought to determine whether primary class six teachers' and pupils' attitude toward mathematics contributed significantly to pupils' achievement in the subject.

The simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 primary class six pupils for the study. The 400 subjects consisted of 200 boys and 200 girls selected from both rural and urban schools. In all 40 primary schools were involved in this study. The main instruments used to collect data for this study were two sets of attitude questionnaires of the Likert scale type and an achievement test. The data gathered were analysed statistically using an independent t-lest. the multiple regression technique and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation. The study indicated the following results. Firstly. there was no significant difference between primary class six, boys' and girls' attitudes toward mathematics. Secondly. there was a significant difference in  mathematics achievement between primary class six boys and girls in favour of girls. Thirdly. primary class six pupils' attitude toward mathematics contributed significantly to their achievement in the subject. fourthly. primary class six teachers' attitude toward mathematics related to pupils' achievement in the subject. Implications of the findings of study were discussed and  recommendations made.