Abstract

ENHANCEMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS? ATTITUDE TO MATHEMATICS: A ROADMAP TO ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Tali D. Jonah& Omenka Jerry Ebere (PhD)

---

Abstract Mathematics is a veritable tool for national development of a nation, especially for a developing country like Nigeria. Therefore, the value of mathematics education lies in the task of enhancing students for vocational and entrepreneurial skills development. Since mathematics as a subject is geared towards the overall development of individual?s and society?s. The utilitarian purposes of mathematics are manifested in the economic and technological development of any nation. That is why this study focused on how certain factors could enhance students? attitude towards secondary school mathematics for the development of entrepreneurial skills. This study was conducted at Pankshin South Constituency of Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau state. It adopted a survey research design and has a population of 447 SS1 students. A sample of 223 out of this population was used. A systematic sampling technique was adopted. The instrument of the study was Mathematics Attitude Inventory (MAI) with reliability co-efficient of 0.92 using Cronbach Alpha formula. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviations was used to answer all the two research questions. It was found that most of the factors that enhance students? attitude have means ranging from 2.56 to 3.53 with standard deviations from 0.54 to 1.15 which revealed the major factors among others that enhance students? attitude include parents and peers influence, self reliant skills inculcation, career prospects and job opportunities. It was also revealed that most of the strategies used by the researcher that enhance students? attitude have means ranging 2.68 to 3.29 with corresponding standard deviations of 0.84 to 1.22. The findings showed that major strategies such as formation of mathematical games and clubs, field trips to industries and regular career counseling among others enhance students? attitude towards the learning of mathematics. Based on the findings, recommendations on how to improve students? attitude towards mathematics such as parents should regularly encourage their children on the importance of mathematics in everyday activities and teachers should encourage students to join mathematics clubs and move out for excursions to see mathematicians at their places of work were made in order to improve students? attitude towards mathematics as a roadmap to entrepreneurial skills development.

PDF