GENDER DIFFERENTIAL IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FINAL YEAR STUDENTS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

This thesis presents the gender differential in academic performance in Mathematics among Senior High School (SHS) students in the Tamale Metropolis. In carrying out this research, a survey research design is adopted. Four research instruments, three of which are self-constructed and validated are employed. They are Mathematics Achievement Test, Student Attitude towards Learning of Mathematics, Teacher Attitude towards teaching of Mathematics, Questionnaire and Mathematics WASSCE results from the year (2006 - 2011) collected from all the schools considered for this study. The target population for the study consists of all SHS Three (SHS 3) students and Mathematics teachers in the Tamale Metropolis. However, because of time and cost implication, 500 students and 50 Mathematics teachers were randomly selected using the simple random technique. The data collected were subjected to statistical tools using Measures of central Tendency such as frequency count, percentage spread, mean, mode and median. The main statistical methods used to analyse the data were spearman's ranked Correlation Coefficient, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA),The findings were: • General performance of students in Mathematics at the SHS level is nothing to write home about. • Mathematics is an important and useful subject both at school' and outside school. • Male students significantly perform better than female students at the SHS

Based on these findings it is recommended that: • Teachers should develop positive relationship with the students so as to engender active teaching and learning process. • Groups and individuals counseling should be organized to encourage positive attitude towards learning of Mathematics. • Students should do away with unfounded fear that Mathematics is "no-go-area" to females.