STUDENTS ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCHOOL SUBJECTS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOLVING PROBLEMS IN MATHEMATICS AS PREDICTORS OF MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ IN IKOM EDUCATION ZONE OF CROSS RIVER STATE-NIGERIA.

¹Otu, Bernard Diwa Ph.D, ²Obiji, Donatus Ph. D, ³Otu and Stella Deborah Bokan, Kefas Vivian Azumi Ph.D

ABSTRACT

This study investigated students attitude towards school subjects and attitude towards solving problems in mathematics as predictors of mathematics performance among secondary school students in Ikom Education Zone Cross River State. To achieve the purpose of the study, two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. This design was considered appropriate as it attempts to find out the nature of the contribution of or relationship between a set of variables. A total of four hundred and eight (408) SSS III students was used for the study. The selection was done through the stratified random sampling technique. Students’ Attitude towards School Subjects and Attitude towards Solving Problems Questionnaire (SASSASPQ) and Mathematics Achievement Test were the instruments for data collection. The reliability estimates of the Secondary School Students’ Attitude Variables Questionnaire (SSSAVQ) instrument was established through the Cronbach Alpha reliability method. The reliability coefficient ranges from 0.71 to 0.91 which was high enough and the reliability estimate of the Mathematics Achievement Test was established through the kuder-Richardson (KR20). Simple Linear Regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Each hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance. Based on the results, it was concluded that students’ attitudes towards school subject and problem-solving significantly predict their mathematics performance in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was recommended that teachers should relate mathematics to real-life situations and practical examples to show its relevance and applicability. Using diverse teaching methods, including technology, games, and hands-on activities, can make learning more engaging and enjoyable.

Keywords: Students Attitude, School Subjects, Solving Problems, Mathematics Performance