An Investigation on Attitude Towards Learning Mathematics Among Higher Secondary School Students

Abstract

While assessing mathematics performance, attitude towards mathematics and Mathematics learning are frequently cited as factors contributing to success. The present study has been conducted to investigate students’ attitude towards learning mathematics in the higher secondary schools of Assam, India. It is sought to understand the influence of Gender and School Environment (Government and Private) in the study of the subject Mathematics. ATMS (Attitude Towards Mathematics Scale), developed by Dr. S. C. Gakhar, and Dr. Rajni was used to find out the attitude of students towards learning mathematics and their achievement in mathematics both in terms of gender as well as school management pattern. Out of a population of 340 students studying at the higher secondary (10+1) level in the Balijana Block of Goalpara District, a sample of 102 students (56 boys and 46 girls) were selected through Stratified Random sampling technique. One Provincialized, one Government and two Private schools were selected based on purposive sampling technique. The achievement of the students in Mathematics at higher secondary level depends on the gender of the students. The study revealed that achievement level of the male students in Mathematics at higher secondary level is more than that of their female counterparts. The achievement of the students in Mathematics at higher secondary level depends on the school environment. The achievement level of the students in private schools is better than the Government schools. The male students show more positive attitude towards learning Mathematics than the female students. Among the eight components, in few components students of Government schools show more positive attitude than Private schools. Whereas, in some components students of Private schools show more positive attitude than students of Government schools. Therefore, attitudes towards mathematics can be developed through encouraging students and motivating them for learning through constructivism and innovations. Teachers, school environment and home environment should be conducive and shouldn’t hamper students’ mathematical performance throughout their schooling