Barriers to learning mathematics in rural secondary schools
Date
2008-12
Authors
Sao, Lawrence Y. T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
The Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is predominantly rural in nature. Many schools
within the province are under-resourced in terms of the minimum school equipment such as
school furniture, telephones, photocopiers, learner resource material (textbooks), electricity,
water ablution facilities, audiovisual equipment and, in many instances, even educators. In
the light of the above, it was decided to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers that
learners face in learning mathematics in grade 8 in schools in the rural areas of the Eastern
Cape Province. A mixed methods research design using both quantitative and qualitative
methods was employed, in order to generate data to shed light on the research question.
Biographical information of the learners and educators was gained. Six schools were selected
and their grade 8 mathematics learners were used in the research. The learners completed a
numeracy and mathematical literacy test as well as questionnaires regarding their attitudes to
mathematics and literacy. Focus group interviews were also conducted with the participants
for the purposes of collaboration of information derived from the test and biographical
questionnaire. From the analysis of the data collected, several possible barriers were
identified. Among these are that learners exhibit attitudinal barriers towards learning
mathematics, they do not make serious attempts to solve problems once they encounter
difficulty. The educators seem to lack the mathematics competencies to handle their teaching.
They still teach instrumentally in the way they were taught, which could constitute a barrier
to the learning. The educators' interaction with the learners takes place only in the classroom
time and is therefore limited. A lack of a reading culture among the learners were found.
Learners therefore experience difficulties in comprehending mathematical texts because of
inadequate vocabulary and reading skills. Learners experience lack of support in their home
environments. Basic and prerequisite numeracy skills do not seem to have been acquired at
the necessary levels in earlier grades.
Various recommendations have been made for all stakeholders involved in the study –
educators, caregivers, and the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape Province. The
following recommendations were made for educators: they should make an effort to educate
themselves on new trends in teaching methodologies. In this regard, educators should use a
consistently open-ended teaching approach, accepting alternative views, leaving issues open,
and encouraging independent enquiry and participation by means of learner-centred
activities. Specifically, educators must refrain from teaching as an attempt to deposit
knowledge in the learners through direct instructions but rather adopt the constructivist
perspective. It was also recommended that to improve numeracy competency among learners,
educators should not just teach mathematics or depend entirely on mathematics but be
conscious of the fact that although numeracy may be taught in mathematics classes, to be
learned effectively, learners must use it in a wide range of contexts at school and at home,
including entertainment and sports.
For caregivers, the following recommendations were made: Caregivers serve as a crucial link
to their children's movement through the mathematics machinery and as such schools must
find a vehicle to support and promote this partnership. Caregivers' involvement in learners'
work will be a motivating factor for learners. Even if the caregivers themselves have no
formal education, their mere concern and involvement in the learners' work will stimulate
their interest and enhance performance.
The study also recommends to the Eastern Cape Provincial Government that there is the need
to provide adequate infrastructure in rural secondary schools. Furthermore, there is also the
need to provide the necessary educator and learner support materials and ensure that there are
enough qualified mathematics educators in the schools. It was also recommended that
appropriate incentives be given to the educators of mathematics to motivate them to higher
performances.
Description
Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
Mathematics, Rural schools