RELEVANCE OF MATHEMATICS AS A CORE SUBJECT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT

This project

studied the relevance of Mathematics as a core subject in senior secondary

schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. The following research

questions were posed to help the researchers in conducting this research: what

are the benefits of teaching Mathematics in schools? Are adequate instructional

materials used in the study of the subject? Are teachers encouraged to teach

the subject matter? Is Mathematics relevant to other subjects? The information

for this study was obtained through administration of questionnaires to 100

students and data collection. The responses to questionnaire items were

analyzed and presented in tables showing their mean scores. After analyzing and

interpreting the data collected, it was discovered that Mathematics study is

important to the participants or the learners. It makes the learners think

critically and reasonably and as well helps them develop the skills for right

argument. It was also observed that there are inadequate provision of

materials/equipments for teaching and learning Mathematics in Nsukka Local

Government of Enugu State and has affected students’ performance in

Mathematics. It was also found out that there are not enough Mathematics

teachers in secondary schools. Very few people are encouraged to teach

Mathematics in schools. It was discovered that Mathematics is relevant in the

study of other school subjects. Subjects such as Economics, Agricultural

science, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, etc requires a great knowledge of

Mathematical concepts. Finally, the study made recommendations to school

authorities and ministries of Education on how to motivate the study of

Mathematics.   

 

 

 

TABLE

OF CONTENTS

Title

page……………………………………………………………………………i

Approval

page…………………………………………………………………...…ii

Dedication………………………………………………………………………..iii

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………..iv

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………v

Table

of contents…………………………………………………………………..vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background

of the study…………………………………………………………1

Statement

of the problem…………………………………………………………4

Purpose

of the study ……………………………………………………………..5

Specific

Purposes………………………………………………………………5

Research

questions………………………………………………………………5

Significance

of the study…………………………………………………………6

Scope

of the study……………………………………………………………….6

Definition

of concept ……………………………………………………………6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED

LITERATURE

The

meaning of Mathematics……………………………………………………7

The

nature of Mathematics………………………………………………………..9

Mathematics

Education…………………………………………………………11

Relevance

of Mathematics Education……………………………………………11

Objectives

of Mathematics Education……………………………………………13

Problems

of teaching and learning Mathematics………………………………….14

Recommended

solution to problems……………………………………………..18

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Design

of the study………………………………………………………………19

Area

of the study…………………………………………………………………19

Population

of the study……………………………………………………………19

Sample

and Sampling Technique…………………………………………………20

Instrument

for data collection……………………………………………………23

Validation

of the instrument………………………………………………………21

Method

of data collection…………………………………………………………21

Method

of data analysis…………………………………………………………22

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND

ANALYSIS OF DATA

Research

question 1……………………………………………………………23

Research

question 2………………………………………………………………24

Research

question 3………………………………………………………………26

Research

question 4……………………………………………………………27

CHAPTER FIVE: DICUSSION,

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

of findings…………………………………………………………….29

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………

30

Recommendations………………………………………………………………31

References………………………………………………………………………32

Appendix

I………………………………………………………………………33

Appendix

II……………………………………………………………………..34

Appendix

III……………………………………………………………………..35

Students

Questionnaire……………………………………………………………36