CORRELATION BETWEEN MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ MOTIVATION AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL ABUJA

Abstract

This study explores the correlation between mathematics teachers' motivation and students' academic achievement in senior secondary schools within the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Seven research questions and hypotheses guided the investigation. Utilizing a correlational and ex-post facto research design, the sample comprised 351 students (167 males and 184 females) selected from a target population of 3,821 students. Data collection instruments included the Mathematics Teachers’ Motivation Questionnaire (MTMQ), Students’ Motivational Belief Questionnaire (SMBQ), and Students’ Promotional Examination Result (SPER). The instruments were validated by experts from the Federal University of Technology Minna, FCT College of Education Zuba Abuja, and a secondary school mathematics teacher. Reliability coefficients for the MTMQ constructs ranged from 0.56 to 1.00, while the SMBQ constructs had reliability coefficients of 0.76 and 0.81, with average reliabilities of 0.83 for MTMQ and 0.76 for SMBQ, as determined by Cronbach’s Alpha reliability statistics. Students' mathematics academic achievement was measured using their promotional examination scores. Mean and standard deviation with scatter plots were used to answer the research questions, and hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a 0.05 significance level. The findings indicated a weak positive relationship between students’ academic achievement and mathematics teachers' monthly remuneration, a weak positive relationship between teachers’ continuous professional development and student achievement, and a moderately positive relationship between teachers’ support by school authorities and student achievement. The study recommends continuous training and professional development for mathematics teachers to enhance their teaching methods and improve student academic achievement.