Factors affecting mathematics teaching and learning at junior secondary schools in Katima Circuit Zambezi Region: teacher, learner, and administrator perspectives

Abstract

This study was motivated by the ambition to find out the factors that are liable for the persistent poor performance of learners in mathematics at junior secondary schools, despite the government’s intervention. The study used a mixed methodology through the use of the survey design and a descriptive exploratory research design. In-depth face to face interviews with 16 participants who were teachers and learners in Katima Mulilo Circuit selected through purposeful sampling strategy. The study also made use of a close-ended questionnaire which was administered to 120 participants (teachers and learners) who were selected through stratified random sampling. This study revealed that misconceptions on the part of the learners are some of the factors affecting the teaching and learning of mathematics in Katima Mulilo Circuit. In addition, the study further established that lack of adequate teaching materials and resources also affects the teaching and learning of mathematics. The study also revealed that low teacher qualifications and low working experience in the teaching and learning of mathematics affects the success of the learners in mathematics in Katima Mulilo Circuit. The study revealed that there are several effects of the factors affecting the teaching and learning of mathematics in Katima Mulilo Circuit. The study found out that learners in Katima Mulilo are withdrawing from mathematics and from school as a result of not achieving any successes in mathematics. In addition, the study also found out that these factors are the leading factors of the currently faced negative emotional effects in mathematics teaching and learning. Furthermore, the study found out that these factors are leading to decreased learner enrolments in schools in Katima Mulilo and are also contributing to some of the currently experienced psychological impacts among the learners. The study recommended that the provision of the teaching and learning resources need to be done in Katima Mulilo Circuit in order to improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics. In addition, the study also recommended that the improvement of syllabus coverage would also make an impact in improving the teaching and learning of mathematics in Katima Mulilo Circuit. Apart from that, the study also recommended that improvement of parental involvement would also improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in Katima Mulilo Circuit.