Students’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Academic Achievement in Mathematics in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated students’ perceptions of factors influencing academic achievement in Mathematics in Makurdi metropolis of Benue State. The study was guided by two research questions and one hypothesis. The researchers adopted descriptive survey design for the study. The study focused on 20 senior secondary schools in Makurdi metropolis which have a total population of 8750 male and female students. A sample of 360 students, comprising 180 male and female students was selected using stratified random technique. The instrument for collecting data was developed by the researchers and validated. The reliability of the instrument was determined by adopting Cronbach alpha statistics, and reliability index of 0.87 was obtained. Means and standard deviations were used in answering research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that, failing to attend Mathematics lessons regularly can lead to students’ low scores in Mathematics; spending less time in studying Mathematics, and long absences from school can lead to students’ failure in Mathematics, among other factors. It was therefore recommended, among others, that
parents and teachers should encourage students to attend Mathematics lessons regularly, students should spend much time on studying Mathematics, and more teachers should be trained and retained in Mathematics to fill the gap of qualified Mathematics teachers.