FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS: FACTOR ANALYSIS APPROACH

Lawal, Ademola S. and Rapheal Nenlat

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria

E-mail: asco.lawal@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Performance in Mathematics by students has been observed to be poor persistently. This paper sought to investigate the factors affecting student performance in mathematics and to establish the strategies that can be adopted to improve performance in Mathematics by students in school of environmental, Federal polytechnic Bauchi. The study is to determine the basic factors that affect student’s performance in Mathematics. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population was all students taking Mathematics courses in School of Environmental. Stratified random sampling was adopted to select 200 respondents which comprised students from Architecture, Quantity survey, Building Technology, Estate Management and Surveying Geo-informatics.  The data for the research was collected by use of questionnaires. The results revealed that ten items were retained and were categorized under four different categories which are Attitude, Role of lecturer, Peers and Interest. Improving on these factors and sensitization of the practices which prohibit student’s effective participation in learning Mathematics could improve performance in Mathematics. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will give curriculum developers new insights into emerging issues on performance and influence the student and lecturer. Students are also expected to benefit from the findings; because improved Mathematics performance will give them good opportunities in confronting future challenges.