CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Mathematics is the foundation of science and technology and the functional role of mathematics to science and technology is multifaceted and multifarious that no area of science, technology can escape its application (Okereke, 2006). Ukeje (1986) described mathematics as the mirror of civilization in all the centuries of painstaking calculation, and the most basic discipline for any person who would be truly educated in any science and in many other endeavors . Okereke ,(2006) described mathematics as an important component of school education in the modern world. It is used in almost every phases of human life. A strong background in mathematics is crucial for many career and job opportunities in today’s increasingly technological society. There can be no true schooling without mathematics. Ukeje (1986) observed that mathematics is one of the most poorly taught, widely hated and abysmally understood subject in secondary school.
TABLE 1: Final year (WAEC) result of BBHS, SHS, ECHS, AHS, NCHS between 2006-2015
| YEAR | BBHS | SHS | ECHS | AHS | NCHS | |||||||||||||||
| A | D | F | T | A | D | F | T | A | D | F | T | A | D | F | T | A | D | F | T | |
| 2006 | 4 | 72 | 81 | 157 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 93 | 5 | 61 | 81 | 147 | 0 | 16 | 74 | 90 | 11 | 80 | 54 | 145 |
| 2007 | 5 | 125 | 90 | 220 | 1 | 3 | 95 | 99 | 6 | 63 | 67 | 136 | 11 | 74 | 63 | 148 | 12 | 91 | 55 | 158 |
| 2008 | 33 | 70 | 84 | 187 | 2 | 6 | 87 | 95 | 4 | 34 | 99 | 137 | 2 | 33 | 98 | 133 |