Abstract: The study examine Influence of Gender on Academic Achievement in Mathematics among Senior Secondary School Students. Quasi experimental research design was used in the study; the instrument for data collection was Students Mathematics Achievement test (SMAT). To achieve the objectives of the study, two (2) hypotheses were formulated for testing. The statistical analyses used in analyzing the data in this study were the mean, standard deviation (SD) and student’s independent t- test (t-test) at 0.05 significance level with 110, 84 degrees of freedom for the two hypotheses.
The finding showed that there is a significant difference on gender in the academic performance of students in mathematics in public secondary schools but there is no significant difference on gender in the academic performance of JS11 students in mathematics in public schools.
Influence of Gender on Academic Achievement in Mathematics among Senior Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The study of gender is not just mere identification of male and female sexes according to Okeke (2003). Scholars have gone further to identify responsibilities assigned to opposite sex and to analyze the condition under which those responsibilities are assigned. Meanwhile, when considering gender in academic standpoint, it is noted that such notion as gender differences and assigned responsibilities should be out of context. Rather, gender equity and balance treatment should be maintained in both sexes in Mathematics and science in general.
Now considering national growth in terms of science and technology, Mathematics is number one subject and the tool that service science and technology. The world is fast changing due to science and technology, hence emphasis on science, technology and Mathematics. Mathematics is seen as the language of science, engineering and technology and it can be said that without Mathematics, there can be neither science nor engineering and it found important use in our society been pervasive in every life’s endeavour.
To this end, Samuel Joshua and Asim (2011), described Mathematics education to a nation as what protein is to a young human organism. According to them Mathematics plays a vital role of a precursor and harbinger to the much needed technology advancement leading to national development.
Simply put, Mathematics is the study of structure whose form can be expressed in symbols and is the grammar of all symbolic system. The symbols and relationship that exist between them are the stuff of which Mathematics is made. Students therefore develop fear and hatred to the learning of Mathematics when these symbols, signs and formulae are not understood.
However, when it comes to workforce in a given nation, it is noted that there are gender differences especially in science, Mathematics and engineering. In the past three decades, there has been a concerted effort to find out why there is a shortage of women in science, Mathematics, engineering and technical field according to American Association of University Women Report (AAUW, 1993). It was found that women who pursue careers in sciences, engineering and Mathematics most often chose fields in biological science where they represent 40% of workforce with smaller percentage found in Mathematics. Odebode (2001) pointed out that “it is disheartening to note that a very small percentage of employed female are in science, technology and Mathematics education (STM)”.
Meanwhile, emphasis on gender difference is advocated by many to maintain gender equity and balance treatment in both sexes, most especially in science and Mathematics to ensure a balanced workforce. To this end, Odebode (2001), opined that this negative attitude towards gender fairness should be discouraged and proper encouragement of gender balance in education should be promoted.
Unfortunately, gender imbalance in science education has remain a continual problem of global scope (Bordo, 2001; Reid, 2003; United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 2003). Therefore, in order to realize the significant role of Mathematics, to the nation and human development, demonstrated achievement and subject mastery should be evenly distributed across gender.
Influence of Gender on Academic Achievement in Mathematics among Senior Secondary School Students
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The choice of the current topic is predicated on the current world trend and research emphasis on the issue of gender differences and academic achievement of students. Meanwhile, owing to gender and academic performance of students, the following were observed from recent researches. It was discovered in a research by Ekeh (2003) that male students performed better than female students in science and mathematics. Hydea and Mertzb (2009), reveals that girls have reach parity with boys in Mathematics performance in high schools.
Bassey, Joshua and Asim (2007) in their study in rural secondary school in Nigeria rather found a significant gender gap in favour of rural male. Moreover, other researches stress on inconsistency. Hannover and Kassels, (2011); stanat, Pant, Bohme and Richter (2012), stressed that the picture of gender achievement in Mathematics is less clear.
Deducing from the above studies, it is noted that the issue of gender differences and academic achievement is a problem that need a further study as it stance is not certain. This prompted the researcher to carry out this research in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area to ascertain the stance of gender differences and academic performance of students in the Area.
