ABSTRACT
This study aimed assessed the Mathematics performance of pupils in Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School Balayan, Batangas. This study was composed of fifty (50) grade 5 pupils utilizing descriptive quantitative method such as descriptive evaluative and descriptive comparative. The following finding were drawn from the study. The respondents moderately agreed to the extent that they perceived Mathematics as a subject. They professed that Mathematics was primarily a formal way of representing the real world. Pupils have fair performance in board work activities. They found it hard to solve problems or equations independently. Meanwhile, the respondents have good performance in group dynamics. They showed willingness to learn new things with the group members and they participated well in the group they belong. There is a significant relationship between the assessment of the respondents on Mathematics as a Subject and their performance in the subject. The action plan was made by the researcher.
Keywords: mathematics, performance, board work, group dynamics
CONTEXT AND RATIONALE
Mathematical abilities can be found in the ability of a person to recall facts, concepts or principles, (Bloom’s Taxonomy as cited by Morton, 2020). Likewise, it is also something that defines someone’s comprehension ability to translate previously learned information, or to grasp meaning, intent, or relationships. Moreover, it involves application ability to apply previously acquired knowledge or information to a new situation and analysis ability to break material down into its components so that organizational structure may be understood. Similarly, it also pertains to the synthesis ability to analyze the parts and put them together to form a whole. Finally it also refers to evaluation ability to make judgments based on evidence and determine the value of material based on definite criteria.
It is generally agreed that Mathematics must be taught during basic education but this does not mean that Mathematics education itself is not a subject of debate. Both national and international evaluations show that on completion of basic education, many pupils’ mathematics knowledge and competencies fall short of the expected level. (UNESCO, 2022).
It is also considered that Mathematics is the mother of all learning in both arts and sciences. Mathematics is not just a computation, but a tool for understanding structures, relationships, and patterns to produce solutions for complex real – life problems. It is a necessity for people of all ages to be successful in life. (Researchers World, 2023).
Truly, in the Philippine context, education remains a top priority. However, in implementing academic curricular changes specifically in Mathematics, many factors need to be considered. For one, there is a need for carefully planned programs of exchange in the curriculum. Also, there must be an examination of the place of formative process and summative evaluation of curriculum programs and of the practical materials for the actual process of installing new curricula in schools. (Capate and Lapinid, 2022).
The expected outcome of quality mathematics education for all is not self- evident and is the subject of continuing debate. To consider this situation, the approaches to mathematics and teaching methods this matter that often make quality mathematics education for all problematic. The challenge to be taken up first is that access to basic education. Millennium Development Goal Number 3, namely access to education for all young people by 2022, is far for being achieved. Today 75 million children are still not enrolled in primary school. It has been an acknowledged fact that mathematics is a difficult subject for the pupils to understand and learn. The result of National Achievement Test of Grade 6 pupils that was taken year 2014 was reviewed. The result showed that the pupils got low percentage in Mathematics next to Science. Not only in this national evaluation that Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School got low performance. It can be also seen in the results of the annual MTAP Competition as far as the intermediate pupils are concerned. Teacher–coaches find it hard to analyze the problem in understanding mathematics though rigid training were being implemented.
This raised problem regarding the performances of the pupils in Mathematics led the researcher to conduct a research survey about the perceived attitudes, some study habits, board work and group dynamics of the pupils regarding their performances in mathematics.
INNOVATION, INTERVENTION AND STRATEGY
The proposed innovation is in the form of an “Action Plan” containing the ways on how to enhance the mathematical skills of the pupils.
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