Poor Performance Of Girls In Mathematics In Selected Mixed Secondary Schools In Changamwe Sub-County, Mombasa County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate poor performance of girls in mathematics in selected mixed secondary schools in Changamwe sub county; Mombasa county. The study focused on form one to four students and their mathematics teachers. It sought to establish the influence of girls own self towards poor performance in mathematics, teachers influence towards girls’ poor performance in mathematics, parents influence towards girls’ poor performance in mathematics and socioeconomic background influence towards girls’ poor performance in mathematics. The study therefore investigated performance in relation to the selected variables. The population of study consisted of form (1-4) girls and teachers in the mathematics departments of four schools in Changamwe sub-county, Mombasa County. The population studied was 570 (i.e. 540 girls and 30 mathematics teachers).A total of (100) respondents were sampled for the study. Out of this 88 responded, giving a response rate of 88%.The survey used purposive sampling technique to sample 4 schools from Changamwe sub-county; Mombasa County to carry out the survey. Purposive sampling technique was also used to sample the students’ respondents. No sampling technique was used for the teacher respondents-they were few in the departments.The research instruments used were students and teachers questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statics were used for analysis of the data obtained. The results were presented in the form of tables. The findings were; girls have a negative influence to themselves regarding mathematics performance, secondly parents have a bad influence towards girls good performance in mathematics ,teachers contribute to the poor performance among girls in mathematics and the same also was recorded on the influence of the socioeconomic background , it contributes heavily to the girls poor performance. A number of recommendations were made which included; strengthening the schools guidance and counseling department, organizing trainings and workshops for teachers and information sessions for parents, the government should further subsidies secondary school fees, both parents and teachers should change their attitudes towards girls and encourage them to use their full potential. This is in order to change the girls’ attitude and fear towards mathematics bringing about a positive influence towards the subject hence better performance.