Returning Responsibility to the Home: Outcomes of Background Checks on Low and High Achievers in Middle Basic Mathematics in North Bank Suburb of Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a correlational survey of the impact of home involvement on the mathematics achievement of Basic 5 pupils in North Bank suburb of Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The study is the outcome of the first phase of a local intervention programme targeted at encouraging homes in the suburb to actively support the mathematics education of children at the Basic Education level. The participants of the study comprise 73 Basic 5 pupils along with their parents across three basic schools in the suburb. The mathematics achievement scores of the pupils for the First Term of the 2016/2017 Academic Session were correlated with home involvement scores generated from the adopted Parental Involvement Questionnaire. The correlational analysis established a weak positive relationship (r = 0.0177, p = 0.9241; and r = 0.174, p = 0.2884) between home involvement and mathematics achievement. Further interaction with pupils revealed that outside pupils' parents, certain friends, members of extended family and neighbours play vital roles, ranging from re-teaching class work at home to providing guidance for mathematics homework.