Open AccessFactors Influencing Poor Performance in Grade 12 Mathematics: A Case Study of Bohlabela Cluster of Limpopo
Author(s) -
M. P Makofane,
Simeon Maile
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
world journal of educational research (los angeles. online)/world journal of educational research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2375-9771
pISSN - 2333-5998
DOI - 10.22158/wjer.v6n1p37
Subject(s) - variety (cybernetics) , mathematics education , anxiety , cluster (spacecraft) , psychology , mathematical anxiety , qualitative research , developmental psychology , mathematics , computer science , social science , sociology , statistics , psychiatry , programming language
It is generally believed that mathematics is for the gifted few. Consequently, many people feel the tension and anxiety related to the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in a wide variety of ordinary life and academic situation. This study aims to investigate anxiety as the determinant of poor performance in grade 12 Mathematics. Data was drawn from Bohlabela cluster in Sekhukhune district of Limpopo province through qualitative research approaches. The findings reveal that, while fear is a major determinant of poor performance in mathematics, other factors such as lack of time, material, financial and human resources also play a significant role in the performance of learners. We concluded that as long as learners continue to study under deficient conditions their performance will continue to slide down.