Investigating pupils’ strategies on mathematics achievement among private and public basic schools in the Chorkor Circuit of Accra Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mathematics achievement and strategies of private and public schools in the Chorkor circuit of Accra Metropolis. The survey research design was used for the study. The population used for the study was 617 and a sample of 242 was selected which comprised of 160 from public schools and 82 from private schools. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The instrument used for the study was a self-made Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) on the topic “sets”. The test items were validated by the researcher’s supervisor and experts. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistics. This was used to obtain the reliability index of the instrument and was found to be 0.85. Mean, standard deviation, T-test and percentages were used to answer research questions. The findings of the study showed that the students in private schools performed higher than those in public schools. The study recommended that private school authorities and heads of public basic schools encourage mathematics teachers to emphasize on concepts, facts and principles during mathematics instruction on the various topics of the curriculum since it forms part of students’ Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK).