PERFORMANCE OF MATHEMATICS AT PRIMARY LEAVING EXAMINATIONS IN GOVERNMENT AIDED SCHOOLS. A CASE STUDY OF BUBUTU SUB-COUNTY, MANAFWA DISTRICT.

ABSTRACT

The major purpose of this study was to examine the performance of Mathematics at primary leaving examinations in government aided schools in Bubutu Sub-county, Manafwa District.The   study   was   centred   on   finding   out   whether:   -   methods   of   teaching,   pupils’   attitude   towards Mathematics and inadequacy  of instructional materials  lead to poor performance in Mathematics  at Primary Leaving Examinations in government aided schools. The   study   was   carried   out   using   descriptive   research   design   utilizing   qualitative   and   quantitative research approaches.  The respondents who participated in the study included ten (10) Head teachers,twenty (20) teachers and twenty (20) pupils totaling to fifty (50) respondents. Teachers and pupils were selected using simple random technique whereas head teachers were selected using purposive sampling technique.  The research instruments used to collect data included Questionnaires which were used to collect data from teachers and head teachers and Interview guides were used to collect data from pupils. Generally,   it   was   established   that   poor   methods   of   teaching   greatly   affect   pupils’   performance   in Mathematics.    Teaching   approaches  and  techniques  that teachers,  may   employ  so  as  to  realize  the desired learning  outcomes of  any subject include different ways of structuring  teaching to enhance interaction with the whole classes, groups and individuals. These include the prevailing environment,learners’ needs, and the nature of content to be taught.For performance to be improved, the researcher recommended that the government through the Ministry of Education and Sports should provide refresher courses to update teachers on the methods used when teaching Mathematics. This can be done through adequate facilitation in terms of funding for teachers to attend regular workshops intended to enhance emerging strategies aimed at improving Mathematics teaching and learning.