Abstract

Challenges of Teaching Mathematics: A Perspective of Teachers on Training under Teacher Upgrade Programme, in Kano State, Nigeria

Muhammad Umar Sumaila (PhD)

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The study investigated some of the Challenges of Teaching Mathematics: Perspective of Teachers on Training under Teacher Upgrade Programme, Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design and utilizes questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. To guide the conduct of the study, two research questions were formulated. The population of the study consists of all students of the programme from which a sample of 59 were randomly selected (the central limit theory suggests a minimum of 30 samples can be used for a study). Fifty nine (59) questionnaires were administered from which 50 were returned to the researcher for analysis. The research data were analysed using SPSS and descriptive statistics particularly frequency and percentages was employed. The findings of the study showed that the most potent of the factors challenging teaching mathematics are- inadequate instructional materials with 43 (86%) agreement, wrong use of teaching method, unqualified mathematics teachers teaching mathematics, lack of participation from the students due to lack of understanding, lack of planning by the teachers with 40 (80%), 41 (82%), 43 (86%) and 45 (90%) of agreement respectively. The study concluded that teaching and learning of mathematics have many challenges and the topmost are inadequate instructional materials, wrong use of teaching method by mathematics teachers, unqualified mathematics teachers teaching mathematics, lack of participation from the students due to lack of understanding and lack of proper planning by the teachers. The study recommends among others that for a successful mathematics lesson, adequate preparations and provisions for whatever is necessary has to be made. Mathematics being a core subject, there must be adequate provisions for the prerequisites of teaching it successfully. Keywords: Teaching, Learning, Mathematics, Challenges, Instructional Material

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