CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Mathematics is a field of study that comprises of various areas. Some of which deal with abstract concepts which cannot be easily related to our day to day experiences. These abstract concepts need to be clearly explained and followed step by step by the teachers to ensure a proper understanding of the said concepts. Mathematics like every other field of study is built upon fundamental laws and principles and once a student of mathematics has a weak foundation on the basic principles, it becomes difficult for such a student to understand the subject (Mohammed and Luka, 2009).
The importance of mathematics cannot be over emphasized, in that mathematics is a central issue for educationists, and it is most applicable to every discipline. Everybody needs are involved in mathematics process everyday. Mathematics is already playing an important role in the filed of engineering, science, medicine, computer, infact in everyday life (Douglas, 2007).
Mathematics is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields, natural science, social science etc. and this is one of the reasons why higher institutions in this country placed emphasis on credit pass in mathematics before they offer provisional admission to the students into a good number of disciplines.
To all eminent scholars in the world over and Nigeria in particular, to all economic planners and politicians, to all potential employers and to the ordinary public, mathematics is a subject of articulate purpose and structure. Despite all the emphasizes placed on the importance of mathematics, one observes that students still perform poorly in the subject. Mathematics curriculum has suffered sudden shifts of emphasis between its traditional and modern aspect (Nwosu, 2007).
Another all important subject is English Language. English Language is that set of grammatical and lexical forms which are typically used in speech and writing by educational native speakers.
English Language is the principal means of human communication. It is a number one for the transmission or exchange of knowledge ideas and feelings. It is used for interpersonal, intergroup and international relationships and also provides better understanding among friends and co-operation. Without the knowledge of English Language, effective communication would be impossible once one leaves one’s region for another, mostly in Nigeria.
English Language is invaluable to our lives and that is why it is taught and made compulsory in primary schools, secondary schools and higher institution in Nigeria.
It is obvious that without the knowledge of English Language-it would be difficult to study other subjects such as history, geography and even mathematics. Despite all the emphasis placed on the importance of English Language. The researchers observed that students still perform very poor in the subject especially in West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to statistics released by Federal Ministry of Education as was recorded in the Daily Sun of Monday, May 12 2009, one out of the ten students who took mathematics between 2005 and 2008 passed. In 2008, only 24, 366 or 11.44% of
473, 534 passed mathematics and also in English Language, only 104,232 or 8.9% of 401.385 candidates of who wrote the English Language Examination in School Certificate Examination passed. Seeing the importance of these two subjects: Mathematics and English Language, then why the mass failure that are recorded in West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This is precisely the objects of this research to highlight the pros and cons therein.