PUPILS’ INTEREST AND PEER INFLUENCE AS PREDICTIVE VARIABLES OF THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS IN CALABAR METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study employs an ex-post facto research design to examine the impact of interest and peer group influence on pupils’ academic achievement in Mathematics. A sample of 200 pupils was randomly drawn from twenty 20 primary schools in Calabar Municipality. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Data drawn with a questionnaire and an academic test in mathematics were analyzed using the linear regression analysis technique. The results revealed significant influence of these two factors (pupils’ interest and peer group association) on mathematics achievement, enabling teachers to provide interventions to support students' learning in mathematics effectively. It was recommended among others that teachers in the study area, should be trained to adopt teaching strategies that would stimulate students' academic interest in Mathematics and that Guidance and Counselling Units should be introduced in all basic schools to guide learners toward making informed decisions concerning their involvement with their peers, appertaining their engagement in the study of mathematics, with a consequence on better performance.