Teachers Perceptions on the Low Performance of Secondary Level Mathematics Students in Nepal: A Narrative Inquiry

Abstract

Though the concerned authorities are trying to improve the results of secondary-level mathematics students, the performance of students in mathematics is decreasing per year. So, this research aims to find out the factors in decreasing the results of mathematics students through the narrative of secondary level mathematics teachers. This research incorporates the constructivism as a guiding theory. In this narrative inquiry of three teachers of three different types of schools in the Sunsari district, an in-depth interview guideline is used to collect the data. The interpretivism research paradigm is used to interpret the data and findings. The findings of the study revealed that some causes of decreasing performance of students in mathematics are lack of interest in mathematics, lack of parental support, post corona pandemic effect and excessive use of the internet and gadgets, frequent changes of mathematics teachers, lack of practical learning and instructional materials, problems of curriculum and evaluation. Based on the findings, it is suggested that the effect of the pandemic coronavirus, excessive use of the internet and gadgets must be minimized, adequate well-trained mathematics teachers in their schools must be managed. The curriculum must be revised repeatedly and made practical to live to increase student’s interest. Also, parents and administration must encourage, and motivate students to create an interest in mathematics. This research has significant value in the field of research because helps to find the solutions to mitigate low performance and higher failure rate in mathematics. It will be valuable for policy makers, curriculum planners, teachers, students, parents, school administration, and other stakeholders related to mathematics education to make appropriate policies and an effective learning environment.