Factors Influencing the Attitude of Students Towards the Study of Mathematics among Secondary Schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria

Abstract

Students’ attitude towards mathematics has been a factor that is known to influence students’ achievement in mathematics. This paper explored factors influencing the attitude of students towards the study of mathematics in Nigeria. This study used a descriptive survey design. A simple random sampling technique was further applied to obtain Mathematics teachers, junior and senior staff, and principals targeted in this research, equal to 273 staff. The study sampled 162 respondents. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The findings indicated that the teaching approach in teaching Mathematics was more correlated with students ‘attitudes in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (r = 0.738; p= 0.000). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the problem-solving method contributed to 57.2% of the variation in the performance, hence playing a vital role in students ‘attitudes towards Mathematics subjects in public secondary schools. It was also inferred that the teaching approach increases positive attitudes toward learning Mathematics subject. The study recommended that the maximum effort should be given to improve the students‟ attitude toward mathematics by organizing forums such as seminars and workshops where teachers and other education stakeholders can support, motivate, and cultivate positive attitudes among their students.