A Critical Analysis of Students Phobia for Mathematics in O Level Day Secondary Schools in Sengerema District Mwanza Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

The study was meant to analyze why students have a phobia/fear for Mathematics in "O" Level secondary schools in Sengerema District Mwanza Tanzania. A survey research design was adopted and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 320 respondents. The study made five important revelations: First, Mathematical language and symbols greatly confuse and affect their performance in the subject. Second, majority of the students lack social and moral support from their relatives which negatively affect performance in Mathematics. Third, students study in unconducive learning environment. Fourth, the students teacher ratio is very high (207: 1). Fifth, long distance traveled/trekked by students to and from school affects their (students') performance in Mathematics. In order to overcome the foregoing anomalies and reduce students' phobia/fear the researcher recommended the followings: the need for teachers to train their students in the use of mathematical language and symbols by models using class card boards; creating a conducive learning environment that will enhance a desire for achieving better performance in mathematics; preparations of children for mathematics from childhood; provision of affordable means of transport to arid from school and or building hostels nearby schools; and training and recruiting more teachers to narrow the students teacher ratio.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page ....... · .............................................................................................................. .

Declaration......... ......................................................................................... .................. ii

Approval........................................................................................................................ iii

Dedication...................................................................................................................... iv

Acknowledgement. ................... :·.................................................................................... v

Table of Content. .. ·......................................................................................................... vi

List of Tables........................................................................................................ vii

List of figure................................................................................................................. viii

Abstract. ....................................................................................................... _........ ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................  1

1.1 Background of the study ........................................................................................ 1

1.2 Statement of the problem .. .. .. .. . ... .. . ...... ....... ... . . .. . .. .. . ... .......... .. . ... .. . . ... .. ...... .. .. .... .... 3

1.3 Purpose of the study ............................................................. .'................................. 4

1.4 Specific objectives ................................................................................................... 4

1.5 Research questions ...................................... , ....... :................................................... 5

1.6 The scope of the study ............................................................................................ 6

1. 7 Significance of the study . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. ...... .. . .......... ... . .. .. .. ..... ... ... .. .. .. ... . .. . . . . .. .... .... .... .... 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................ ····· .. . 8

2.1 Theoretical framework............................................................................................. 8

2.2 Conceptual framework............................................................................................ 8

2.3 Mathematics language and symbols .. .. .. .. .. .. ....... .. .. . . ...... ... . . . . .... ...... ................... .... 9

2.4 Learning el)vironment . ..... ... ... ... ... ...... ...... ... ...... ... ... . ... ... ... ..... .... ........................... 11

2.5 Students social background ................................. :··········· ..············...................... 13

2.6 Distance from home to school .............................................................................. 14

2. 7 Students-teacher ratio . .. . . . .. . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . ... ... .. .. .. . . . . .. .. . . . .. ... . ... . .. ... . .. ......................... 15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY · ...................................... 17

3.1 Research design .................................................................................................... 17

3.2 Sampling procedure .............................................................................................. 17

3.3 Sample ......................................................... : ........................................................ 18

3.4 Instruments ........................................................................... : ............................... '19

3.4.1 Reasons for choosing questionnaire method .................................................... 19

3.5 Procedure .............................................................................................................. 20

3.6 Data analysis .......................................................................................................... 20

3.7. Validity and Reliability ........................................................................................... 20

3.7.1 Validity of the instrument.. ................................................................................. 20

3. 7 .2 Reliability............................................................................................................ 21

3.8 Ethical Consideration ............................................................................................. 21

3.9 Limitation ............................................................................................................... 21

3.10 Problems encountered in the study ................................................................ 22

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA ANAYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATION ............. 23

4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 23

4.2 Biographic Presentation ......................................................................................... 23

4.3 Data Analysis, interpretation and Presentation ...................................................... 29

CHAPTER

5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................... 39

5 .1 Discussion, ............................................................................................................ 39

5.2 Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 45

5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................ 46

References ......................................................................................................... 50

Appendix A ........................................................................... : ............................. 52

Appendix B .......................................................................................................... 57

Appendix C ........................................................................................................... 58