ASSESSING TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS REMEDIATING MATHE-PHOBIA AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ILORIN SOUTH LGA

Abstract

This study assessed teachers' professional skills and practices towards remediating Mathe-Phobia among school children in Ilorin South. Pupils perform poorly in mathematics not because it is hard, but because they fear it. Therefore, the study aimed to determine whether teachers possessed relevant professional skills and practices, and how effective they were in reducing pupils' anxiety levels. The study formulated 3 research questions and 1 hypothesis. The study selected 120 respondents using a multi-stage sampling technique. The researcher administered a researcher-designed questionnaire to the respondents. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and one-way ANOVA. Findings from research questions 1 and 2 showed that the mathematics teachers affirmed that they have the professional skills (3.03) and practice strategies such as using teaching aids, encouraging group work, providing additional support, using games, and real-life situations during mathematics lessons (3.05). Research question 3 also revealed that these strategies were effective in remediating Mathe-Phobia (3.03). This implied that interactive strategies, combined with proper classroom management, can help remediate Mathe-Phobia among pupils in Ilorin South.