New strategy to control the rate of mathematics failure in secondary schools

This paper was set up to determine the causes of poor academic performance in mathematics at senior school certificate examination (SSCE). To achieve this, a case study was adopted which targeted three different secondary schools in Damaturu of Yobe state. Participants would be randomly chosen and only those learners doing ‘O’ leve mathematics. Teachers who teach mathematics at ‘O’ level will also be targeted. The information will be gathered through the use of questionnaire, documents analysis, interview and observations. Many researchers/authors showed that teaching methods, student’s negative attitude towards mathematics, lack of teaching experience by some teachers and lack of adequate resources are some of the causes of poor academic performance in mathematics at senior school certificate examination (SSCE). A number of recommendation would be made about the strategies of teaching mathematics and motivation of students to develop interest in mathematics.