A survey of factors affecting the teaching and learning of mathematics in primary schools in Mbooni education division in Machakos district in Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose of this survey is to look at the existing resources, facilities and materials like (i) text-books (ii) support materials (books)

(iii) teaching aids (iv) pupils attitudes

(v) teachers attitudes towards the teaching of mathematics and (vi) language problems encountered by teachers from pupils in the teaching and learning of mathematics in primary schools in Mbooni educational division in Machakos district.

This research is limited to upper primary classes and only seven schools were selected as research sample. Teachers of mathematics in those classes i.e. standard 4 to 7 were required to respond to the tools of research.

The researcher used 2 types of questionnaires and checklist for resources and teaching materials. The first questionnaire was to find out teachers' attitudes towards the teaching of mathematics. The second questionnaire was for language problems teachers encounter from pupils when teaching mathematics.

The researcher throughout worked on the basic assumption that mathematics teaching and learning is affected by the above listed factors. There are of -course very many other factors. There are of -course very many other factors that may affect the teaching and learning of mathematics but the researcher omitted himself to the above listed ones.

The research revealed that the 7 primary schools where the research was done lacked enough textbooks, support books and teaching aids. This, the researcher felt might be the case in most primary schools in the rural areas, something which might be a contributing factor in the poor results at C.P.E. level.

Language acquisition is very important in order for pupils to be able to learn mathematics. The research showed many pupils have a lot of language problems and hence it affects their learning.

Mathematics is an important subject, which is applicable in our everyday lives, and all those factors which affect the teaching learning should be identified and improved for the benefit of all. More extensive research should be done on this area.