Factors Affecting Students’ Performance in Mathematics in Upper Secondary Schools in Gicumbi District, Rwanda

Ephrem Shaban Mbarute & Dr. Celestin Ntivuguruzwa
University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE), African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS)
Email: mbaruteephremshaban@gmail.com

Abstract: In spite of the government efforts to promote Mathematics and Science, students’ performance in mathematics in Rwanda has been low in upper secondary schools, especially in three different districts Gatsibo, Nyamasheke and Gicumbi. This study assessed factors affecting the performance in Mathematics of the upper secondary students in Gicumbi District. A correlational study was carried out in which the correlation between performance in Mathematics and different factors affecting it in upper secondary students of Gicumbi District was assessed. The study targeted a population of 120 students from 6 schools, 12 mathematics teachers and 6 deputy head-teachers. Questionnaires were administered in all above targeted populations so as to collect data for this study. Adequate learning resources (r=0.281, 0.105, 0.147, 0.413), favorable school environment (r=0.547, 0.140, 0.121, 0.451, 0.321), low use of school library (r=0.123, 0.252, 0.123), parental encouragement (r=0.102, 0.361), a distance to school in day students (r=0.402), little interest in Mathematics (r=0.471, 0.254), and revision exercises given to the students (r=0.182, 0.272) have been identified as major factors. The establishment of a good environment favoring the study Mathematics in schools, the provision of adequate learning resources and much exercises, the role of parents to help their children to have interest in Mathematics subject and orientation of the students in schools near their families will help in bringing about a good performance of Mathematics in upper secondary school students of Gicumbi District.