The Impact of Perception on Performance in Mathematics of Female Students in Secondary Schools in Teso District, Kenya.
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Date
2013Author
Wasike, Anne
Ndurumo, Michael
Kisilu, Kitainge Joseph
Language
enMetadata
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This study seeks to determine the impact of perception of female students on the performance of the
Mathematics within secondary schools in Teso District. The main objectives were: to establish the effect of
perception of female students on performance in mathematics in secondary schools and to establish the effect of
type of school on the perception of female students on the performance in mathematics. This study was guided
by constructivism analytical framework (1992) of gender performance. The study sample involved a selection of
240 females selected by stratified random sampling method from secondary schools within Teso District to
complete an inventory of Mathematics perception .The main instruments of data collection were the
questionnaire. Data collection was done from May to June 2009 during the regular school sessions. Analysis of
the data was done using descriptive statistics. Analysis of data from the questionnaire responses revealed a
significant (P < 0.05) effect perception towards performance in Mathematics among the students. Female
students had negative perception towards Mathematics. Most of the female students with negative perception
performed poorly in Mathematics. Female students’ in boarding schools were established to have more positive
perceptions towards Mathematics and therefore performed better in the subject than students from co-educational
schools. This indicates that performance of Mathematics can be improved through enhancing positive perception
towards Mathematics. Further, the Ministry of Education should devise methods of improving the perception of
female students towards Mathematics, to unlock their ability in performance.