Gender Effect on Mathematics Anxiety of Secondary School Students in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

Mathematics has become an important and compulsory school subject in many countries of the world but it has been recognized by many researchers as causing panic and fear for many students and this has often made most of such students to fail the subject. This study therefore sought the effect of gender on the mathematics anxiety of senior secondary school students in Ogun West Senatorial District. The sample size for this study were 270 senior secondary school students 2 (SS2) who were selected through stratified random sampling technique. The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale-revised (MARS-R) was the only instrument used for the study. The data collected were analysed through Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and t-test. Results revealed a significant difference effect of gender on students’ mathematics anxiety. The study also revealed higher mathematics anxiety scores for male students than the female. The researcher recommended that counselors should use this study as a theoretical and empirical basis to help counselors see the need to help male students focus more on the subject so as to avoid being anxious. Schools should also sponsor seminars/workshops especially for male students on the importance of mathematics for career progression.