CHAPTER
ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of
the Study

        The word mathematics has been derived
from an ancient Greek word mathematician in which means to learn so that
mathematics is a process of learning. On the other hand Dictionary defines
mathematics is a logical study of shape, arrangement, quantity and many related
concepts (James and James, 2008 ). Also mathematics is important part of
civilization. Every society has observed mathematics is basic needs of human
civilization. Mathematics has started at the infancy level from the beginning
of human civilization to the advance level of twenty first century. New
discoveries in mathematics and mathematics education are still continuing. The
other discipline like science, engineering, medicine and technology may be
handicapped without mathematics and world cannot be smoothly run without it.
Thus, importance of mathematics is realized due to it’s role for the
development of science and technology in one and other it has become a
gatekeeper in life of the students for their career in future study (Pandit,
2012 ).

        According to educational statistics
(2059-2063) only 3.52 percent students are enrolments in further mathematics
nearly and about 73.3 percent students taking as a compulsory mathematics.
Among them we see that most of boys students take further mathematics in
comparison of students.

        According to Sharma (2011), more than 85
percent students selected non math subject. Also we see that in comparison of
urban public school the students enrollment in rural public school in very low.
Most of people say that students are generally weak in further mathematics..
There are a lot of reasons behind this as we know further mathematics is a
practical subject.  So in lack of
practices, further mathematics becomes complex subject for the students. As a
result most of students anxious about further mathematics. They have a wrong
concept in their mind that further mathematics as a hard subject for example
most of teachers teaches complex topic at the beginning of the class and they
gave a lot of task to rote the formulas.There are many researches behind them
that students do not get opportunity to understand about the further
mathematics and they consider that it‟s a complex subject. Thus, the present
study promoted to investigate the low enrolment students in mathematics at
secondary level.

        There are many students who failed in further
mathematics. It shows that further mathematics is so hard subject. Under
performance of students may be the causes of leaning problems. Thus,
mathematics teaching and learning process in Nepal appears very poor. Poor
learning in mathematics has become a strong part of school leaving certificate.
How can students feel mathematics an easy subject? How teacher makes student
feel mathematics is an easy subject? Teacher should consider about these
strategies of mathematics teaching. The problems related to mathematics
learning might be related to the mathematics teacher. Some of problems in
learning mathematics students might directly be related to the teacher academic
background and classroom practice performance. The secondary school operated in
Parsa district reading under crisis due to low enrollment of students in further
mathematics.

The national rate of student’s admission – which is major
source of income to provide teacher salary and allowance has trouble the school
administration to operate regular classes in smooth manner.

        Since, the time of establishment of
Secondary Education Board in Nepal, mathematics has been teaching in almost all
teaching disciplines. Among the different education systems secondary school’s
education evaluation board holds importance position today. After the
establishment of high school education board in1989, It is faithfully involved
in running high school system with the objective of preparing the students to
meet the middle man power requirements in different fields. An understanding of
mathematics is necessary for every human life. No matter what occupation a
student choose in his life, one can’t achieve complete and success without
mathematical concepts skill and process. It certainly facilitates to study in
other areas like business, agriculture. science, technology. To achieve
mathematics objective, our national effort towards mathematic curriculum has
been increased periodically (Pandit, 2012).

        In Nepal, there are establishing so many
secondary school, but we can see less inclusion of mathematics students in further
mathematics. It is become a great issues. Also the total no of further
mathematics students less than other that subject specially students are very
less in comparison of boys students. We can see poor achievement of students in
high school mathematics. So, the questions is raised in my mind that to know
what are the main reasons to low enrollment of students in further mathematics.
That’s why I am motivated to carry out this research.

Statement of
the Problem 

        This study sought to investigate factors
influencing low enrolment ofstudents in further mathematics. The
trend in enrolment of further mathematics subject among the students in Nigeria
has been generally low. This study is related to the low participation and
enrolment of students in further mathematics. This research to carryout answer
of following questions.

1.      Why the enrolment of students is low in
further mathematics?

2.      How can minimize low enrolment of students
in further mathematics at secondary level?

Objective of
the Statement

•        
To
analyze the causes of low enrolment of students in further mathematics. 

•        
To
explore the remedial ways of low enrolment of students in further mathematics. 

Significance
of the Study

        Mathematics is essential part of school
curriculum. It has been taught all the students as a compulsory subject. Also,
It has been taught as optional subject in grade IX. We have hardly find out the
result among these issues in secondary level. In such situation, research on
“causes of low enrolment of students in further mathematics in Nigeria”.
Each and every research has it’s own significance,

likewise; the significance of the study will be as follows:

•        
This
research tries to investigate the causes of low enrolment and difficulties in
mathematics learning of the girls.

•        
It
helps to modify the further mathematics Curriculum according to the opinion of
the secondary levels students and teachers.

•        
It
pays attention of concerned averages to promote participation level in
mathematics.

•        
It
helps to improve mathematics achievements of students.

Delimitation
of the Study 

•        
This
study is delimited to F.C.E (T), Asaba.

•        
This
study involves only secondary school 

•        
The
Study is delimited on qualitative research only.

•        
The
Information was collected from the students, teacher and co-ordinators only.

Operational
Definition of the Key terms

Enrollment: It refers to the student’s
registration in grade nine according to the optional subject. It indicates
interaction, interpretation, co-operative learning, discussion of teacher with
students and also student’s participation in exam.

Causes
: The term “causes‟‟ is defined as the reason that
affecting in low enrollment of students in further mathematics.

Factor : The term factor is defined as one of
the several things that causes or influences some things ; e. g educational,
school, economic etc

Student: Person who is studying, especially at
a place of higher education.

Interest
: It refers the quality that something
has when it attracts somebody attention.

Self
confidence: It is
related to the student ability and skills of doing something.It is regarded as
the basis of either to do progress or get success or not.

School
environment
: It is defined as a environment where all the necessities, interest, attitude
of students and teachers are found.

Evaluation
system: It is
related all activities that is conducted by the higher secondary school to make
decision about the students study.

Participation
: It is related with the students
attendance rate, activeness and motivation towards the contents.

Out
of School Related Factors:
It is associated with family background, self – confidence, influence of
society, parent’s attitude, interest, occupational goal etc;

Family
background : It is
related with the background of the family like graduation, economic status,
facilities etc

Psychological
environment:
It is related with the mental feelings of students and teachers. It consists of
the libraries, laboratories, curricular as well as extra- curricular
activities.

School
environment:
It is defined as an environment where all the necessities attitude of students
and teachers are found.