IDENTIFICATION AND REMEDIATION OF THE CAUSES OF STUDENTS POOR PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN WEST AFRICA SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION WASSCE

Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

Mathematics is a field of study that comprises of various areas. Some of which deal with abstract concepts which cannot be easily related to our day to day experiences. These abstract concepts need to be clearly explained and followed step by step by the teachers to ensure a proper understanding of the said concepts. Mathematics like every other field of study is built upon fundamental laws and principles and once a student of mathematics has a weak foundation on the basic principles, it becomes difficult for such a student to understand the subject (Mohammed and Luka, 2009).

The importance of mathematics cannot be over emphasized, in that mathematics is a central issue for educationists, and it is most applicable to every discipline. Everybody needs are involved in mathematics process everyday. Mathematics is already playing an important role in the filed of engineering, science, medicine, computer, infact in everyday life (Douglas, 2007).

Mathematics is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields, natural science, social science etc. and this is one of the reasons why higher institutions in this country placed emphasis on credit pass in mathematics before they offer provisional admission to the students into a good number of disciplines.

To all eminent scholars in the world over and Nigeria in particular, to all economic planners and politicians, to all potential employers and to the ordinary public, mathematics is a subject of articulate purpose and structure. Despite all the emphasizes placed on the importance of mathematics, one observes that students still perform poorly in the subject. Mathematics curriculum has suffered sudden shifts of emphasis between its traditional and modern aspect (Nwosu, 2007).

Another all important subject is English Language. English Language is that set of grammatical and lexical forms which are typically used in speech and writing by educational native speakers.

English Language is the principal means of human communication. It is a number one for the transmission or exchange of knowledge ideas and feelings. It is used for interpersonal, intergroup and international relationships and also provides better understanding among friends and co-operation. Without the knowledge of English Language, effective communication would be impossible once one leaves one’s region for another, mostly in Nigeria.

English Language is invaluable to our lives and that is why it is taught and made compulsory in primary schools, secondary schools and higher institution in Nigeria.

It is obvious that without the knowledge of English Language-it would be difficult to study other subjects such as history, geography and even mathematics. Despite all the emphasis placed on the importance of English Language. The researchers observed that students still perform very poor in the subject especially in West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to statistics released by Federal Ministry of Education as was recorded in the Daily Sun of Monday, May 12 2009, one out of the ten students who took mathematics between 2005 and 2008 passed. In 2008, only 24, 366 or 11.44% of 473, 534 passed mathematics and also in English Language, only 104,232 or 8.9% of 401.385 candidates of who wrote the English Language Examination in School Certificate Examination passed. Seeing the importance of these two subjects: Mathematics and English Language, then why the mass failure that are recorded in West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This is precisely the objects of this research to highlight the pros and cons therein.

1.2 Statements Of Problem

The development of any nation depends on their scientific and technological advancement which can be built on a sound mathematical education capable of making effective function in nature (Edward, 2008).

English Language is the principal means of human communication; it is a tool for the transmission or exchange of knowledge, ideas and feelings. It is used for interpersonal, intergroup and international relationships. Without the knowledge of English Language, effective communication would be impossible once one leaves a region for another (Lehamann 2007).

The importance of mathematics and English Language cannot be over emphasized. It is due to the high esteem placed on mathematics and English Language that made them to be compulsory subjects for both Primary and Secondary Schools. A credit pass is one of the prerequisites for entering higher or tertiary institutions.

So many students who fail these two subjects; mathematics and English Language are very hopeless today because they cannot go any further educationally and so cannot contribute to the development of our beloved state, Enugu Nigeria. Regardless of the importance of mathematics and English Language, Students in the secondary school still perform very poorly especially in West African senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This ugly situation has given the researchers much concern. The problem of this study therefore is to identify the root causes of this massive poor performance in these two subjects, mathematics and English Language and to suggest solutions on how to remedy the situation.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The purpose of this project is to find out the factors that contributed to the student’s poor performance in Mathematics and English Language in West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) In Enugu Education Zone and to profer possible remedy.

Specifically, the Researchers Sought to:-

1. Determine whether teachers of the two subjects are adequately qualified.
2. Determine whether teacher’s methods of teaching affect the learning of those subjects.
3. Determine whether the students are taught with teaching aids/resources to quicken their understanding.
4. Determine whether student’s attitude towards these subjects is poor.
5. Determine whether the books recommended to the students are appropriate.
6. Determine whether the school environment is really conducive for teaching and learning.
7. Determine whether the educational curriculum is effectively and properly made.
8. Determine whether the teachers who teach these subjects frequently give class exercise on it to know if the specific objectives are achieved at the end of the lesson.
9. Determine whether government do provide adequate materials or facilities like computer, adequate text books etc. for better teaching and learning.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the problems teachers of mathematics and English Language encounter in teaching that relates to the present poor performance in mathematics and English Language in West Africa School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Education zone?.
2. What are the place of instructional materials in terms of teaching and learning mathematics and English Language?
3. What are the problems students of mathematics and English Language encounter in terms of teaching and learning as relates to the present poor performance in mathematics and English Language in (WASSCE)?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1. Ho: There are enough and suitable facilities in schools for effective teaching and learning.
   H1: There are not enough and suitable facilities in schools for effective teaching and learning.
2. Ho: All mathematics and English language teachers are professionally qualified for teaching.
   H1: All mathematics and English Language teachers are not professionally qualified for teaching.
3. Ho: Mathematics is so hard that people do not like to study it.
   H1: Mathematics is not so hard to study
4. Ho: Recommended textbooks for the student are difficult for them to understand at their level.
   H1: Recommended textbooks for the student are not difficult for them to understand at their level.

1.6 Significance Of Study

The research on the identification and remediation’s of the causes of students poor performance in mathematics and English Language in West African senior School Certificate Examination will be highly valuable and beneficial to everybody especially the present students in secondary school in Enugu Education Zone and also to other secondary schools in some other area who might have been facing similar problems.

The teachers on the other hand would through this research know the best way of programming their students as to ensure that students grow up to the art and science of mathematics and English Language right from their tender years and also help the children to build a passion for these subjects. Thus, this would result to excellent performance in the field of mathematics and English Language. Also the government would through this research know the importance of providing teaching facilities like computers, adequate textbooks, projectors in the classrooms etc. to schools for adequate teaching and learning.

Finally, the curriculum planners would through this research, identify some aspects of the curriculum to be revised or enhanced.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

The research work is primarily concerned with identification and remediation of the causes of student’s poor performance in mathematics and English Language in West African senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Education zone.