Development of Interest in Mathematics Among Secondary School Learners : A PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTEREST IN MATHEMATICS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL LEARNERS: A PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE - Due to the lack of interest in mathematics among secondary school learners, an investigation to identify the possible factors affecting such interest was undertaken. After carrying out a literature study, some of the factors affecting interest in mathematics were identified as follows: mathematics self-concept, intrinsic motivation, mathematics anxiety, gender, attitudes towards mathematics, mathematics achievement, aspirations, environment, teacher's motivation and teaching methods, parental involvement, occupation of parents and peer group pressure. By means of an empirical investigation, it was found that intrinsic motivation, mathematics self-concept, motivation by teacher and parent explained the largest proportion of the variance of interest in mathematics. The educational implications of the findings of both the literature study and the empirical investigation are discussed and certain guidelines are provided to assist teachers and parents develop children's interest in mathematics so that they could actualize their potential in this subject to the fullest.