Causes And Effects Of Mass Failure In Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (Jssce) Mathematics

1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word mathematics is a Greek words meaning things that are learnt. Majasa (1995) further defined it as the science of counting measuring and describing of the shape of objects. It deals with logical reasoning and quantitative calculation and so has involved the science of structure order and relation. Mathematics as a school subject is recognized as the foundation of science and technology without which a nation will never become prosperous and economically independent. This under scores the importance of mathematical competence of all the learner at all mathematics compulsory and one of the leading core subject in the secondary schools curriculum. This importance accorded the recognition of the vital role it plays in contemporary society. Several science researchers also reviewed that involvement and science course in Nigeria although mathematicians and educators have put a deal of effort put in by government and various stakeholders of education sectors of Nigeria, mathematics still remained one of the most dreadful subjects in schools. As asserted by Ale (1992). He also say that mathematics is the key to any nation’s technological growth. Ale (2007). Anagbogu (1986) quoting Ballogun (1976) Obioha, Baya (1983) stated that there is sufficient testimony of educational significance of science by deliberated efforts towards a search for the most adequate and successful method of teaching science subject such as mathematics. The method has not yielded spectacular result. No nation can therefore survive economically if the future generation is performing lowly in the scientific field.
However, most Junior Secondary Schools lack not only qualified teachers but also teaching materials for practical. Effective teaching in Junior Secondary Schools depends on the way the teachers impart knowledge to the students, frequent field practical, regular use of instructional materials for teaching and learning are all necessary for effective teaching and learning. It has been discovered that if these methods have been used effectively it will result to proper acquisition of skills in Junior Secondary subject. The establishment of junior secondary school education by the state government in Nsukka zone of Enugu State like any other states has the same aims and objectives as the national policy specify that secondary education is the educations receive after primary education and before the tertiary institution. The Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) is an external examination organized and conducted by the ministry of education; it is the only instrument that could elevate the performance of both students and teachers at the end of junior secondary school career. The success or failure of the student in examination is a clear manifestation of the student academic activities during the course. Success or good performances determine a brighter future for the individual while failure is in successful as it always indicate, a dropout, unnecessary diversion in the choice of career in course selection and it can effect the growth of science and technology which are the common effects in the area of this study.
Years back, academic performance of students in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) mathematics in Nsukka Education Zone of Enugu State has witness mass failure. This sad continuous occurrence in the area of study had become a matter for serious concern to parents, guardian, states and nation. This situation of things has made it pertinent for us to ask why and what are the causes of mass failure of student and the effects in junior certificate examination mathematics in these years as compared to the past as the mass failure has reflected on the retrogression of a good considerable member of prospective youth in the education zone. It is against the background that this project focuses attention upon the major causes and effect that militate against student performance in the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination in these Nsukka education zone of Enugu State. The staffing and quality of teachers in these schools should also be examined critically and relate it to students performance in the certificate examination. The part played by parents and guardian in the provision of necessary materials that will facilitate learning and also government provides the structures and facilities need for running of secondary schools would be closely examined. The researchers are confident that among the above enumerated sources and others will foster a smooth research to find out the problems affecting student academic performance.

1.2 Statement of Problems
Although, not much attention has been given to the performance of students in Junior Secondary School subjects in recent years. This neglect, no doubt has relegated this junior subjects to the background in our junior secondary certificate examination.
A close look at the 2009/2010 JSSCE result records confirms that student’s performance has been very poor generally and the increasing number of school dropout in the area of the study is a clear pointer of the effect. It is obvious that one of the problems militating against student performance is caused by the students not being dedicated to their studies in school. The administration quality of teachers, and method of students in classroom, the parents inability to provide useful material like text books, exercise books and school fees and inadequate instructional material for teaching and learning in schools. If this study is not carried out to identify this causes and effect of mass failure in junior certificate examination mathematics, this may lead to students dropping out of school and educational achievement of the zone will downwind and poor functioning of student that will study mathematics related courses. This study, therefore, is directed at finding out the causes and effect of mass failure in Junior Secondary Certificate Examination Mathematics.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study
The reason for this study was to find out the causes and effect of mass failure in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination Mathematics. The interest of the researcher is to examine critically and identify the cause and effect of mass failure in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Specifically the study sought to:
1. Find out if the previous academic affect students in studying mathematics.
2. Acertain the numbers of qualified mathematics teachers and instructional material used in teaching of mathematics.
3. Determine if difficult nature of mathematics as perceive by the student cause their academic failure.
4. Find out the strategies for the improvement of students performance in mathematics examination.

1.4 Significance Of The Study
The research work could be of great benefit to students, teachers, government and general public.
1. The Student: The student will be able to appreciate the importance of the affective domain like interest and motivation in improving their performance. With this awareness, the student might put up a portion attitude, which will increase their performance and enhance higher grade in junior mathematics exams.
2. The Teacher: Teachers will be able to improve their teaching methods and offer remedial aids where they find out that student are putting up low attitudes toward the subject.
3. Government: The government will see the need of guidance and counselor in each school’s ministry of education and curriculum planners will find the result of this study useful for better organization of junior subjects in the education sector.

1.5 Scope Of The Study
The research is a study on the cause and effect of mass failure in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) Mathematics in Nsukka Education Zone of Enugu State, the area in which attention is focused is on Junior mathematics. It is limited only to junior secondary school in Nsukka zone.

1.6 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated:
1. Does previous academic background affect students in studying mathematics?
2. To what extent does insufficient number of qualified mathematics teachers and lack of instructional material affect student readiness to learn?
3. What effect does poor attitude of student and low interest in mathematics have towards their performance in Junior Mathematic Certificate Examination?
4. To what extent does difficult nature of mathematics as perceived by student have on their academic failure?
5. What are the suggested strategies for the improvement of students in mathematics examination?