INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON LEARNING OF MATHEMATICS AMONG SENIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ILORIN WEST, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of demographic factors on Mathematics learning among senior school two (SS2) students in Ilorin West, Kwara State, Nigeria. The sample comprised 133 male and 189 female students from six public and private schools, selected using a random sampling technique. An ex-post-facto research design was employed, and data were collected using a 20-item multiple-choice Mathematics Performance Test (MPT) developed by the researchers. The MPT’s internal consistency was measured using the Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) formula, yielding a reliability index of 0.84. Experts in Mathematics education validated the Instrument. The three research questions raised were answered with Mean and standard deviation. It was observed from the findings that no substantial gender disparity was noticed in 
Mathematics performance of students, as the mean difference between male and female was minimal. Students aged 13-15 and 16-18 scored similarly, with mean scores of 6.80 and 6.81, respectively, indicating comparable performance. However, students aged 19-21 had a significantly lower mean score of 4.22, suggesting decreased performance compared to younger groups. A notable difference was observed between school types, with private school students outperforming their public-school counterparts. Therefore, it was recommended that the stakeholders should promote collaborative learning, providing adequate teacher training, encouraging early Mathematics education, and discouraging gender bias to benefit the nation’s educational outcomes.