ABSTRACT
This descriptive study determined the learners’ numerical literacy skills in a farm school as bases for remedial program in Mathematics. It was found out that the level of learners’ numerical literacy skills in terms of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division were nearly proficient when taken as a whole and when classified according to sex, parent’s highest educational attainment, and grade level. There was a significant difference in terms of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers when classified according to sex, grade level, and parents’ highest educational attainment but no significant difference in terms of division of integers when classified according to grade level. Learners were not good in adding negative and positive integers, subtracting negative from positive and negative from negative integers. Also, learners were not good in multiplying negative by negative and positive by negative integers as well as in dividing negative by negative, zero by negative, two negatives by single digit, and positive by a negative single digit integer.
Keywords: Learners, Numerical Literacy, Farm School, Remedial Program in Mathematics
INTRODUCTION
One indicator of a great nation is its level of literacy. That is why, mastery in all four domains is necessary for efficient interaction and understanding of how the world works.
In order to compete in the global marketplace, a country with a high literacy rate must demonstrate the capacity for teamwork as well as critical, creative, and communicative thought (Novitassari & Narimo, 2020).
Jayobo Farm School is a type of school that desires to help in educating the youth in the Municipality of Lambunao and its neighboring towns and provinces. Learners then are engaged in farming activities, such as planting root crops, vegetables, fruits, home gardening (backyard gardening, poultry chicken), and raising hogs and chicken.
The importance of numerical literacy lies in the foundation for all learners to succeed at Jayobo Farm School. The school has a program where they have the sweet harvest every quarter. Each council has its own area of assignment where learners plant root crops, vegetables, and fruits. The root crops will be harvested every quarter and will be sold to the people in the community. In the activity, numerical literacy is important to learners for they are required to count pieces of root crops, vegetables, and fruits as well as the amount of money they received.
Though the school is already a Farm School, numerical literacy plays an important role in learners’ daily activities in school. It helps learners understand and manage farm-related data, such as crop yields, livestock inventory, and financial records. Additionally, numeracy skills are essential in making informed decisions about resource allocation, budgeting, and implementing sustainable farming practices. Overall, a solid foundation in numeracy enhances the learners’ ability to navigate practical aspects of running a farm.
Numerical literacy, which is also referred to as mathematical literacy, is the capacity of a person to recognize and comprehend the significance of Mathematics in day-to-day life, to form strongly established opinions, and to apply Mathematics in various areas which meet the needs of the individual’s current and future life in order to be a profitable, kind, and reflective citizen.
According to Utami et al. (2020), numerical literacy is one’s capacity to solve practical problems in many different kinds of typical situations using a variety of numbers as well as symbols that involve fundamental mathematical operations. Additionally, it is used to evaluate data presented in various visual formats and to understand and analyze findings in order to make decisions.
In early stages of the research endeavor, researcher’s experiences and keen observations serve as catalysts in delving into the subject. The recognition of a recurring phenomenon could spark the curiosity, and prompt an in-depth exploration to understand underlying factors and implications.
Thus, the study is rooted in the intersection of firsthand encounter and meticulous observations in school. While learners are engaged in farm school activities, their numerical literacy is enhanced. They learn about calculations or measurements. For example, during planting season, learners calculate the area of the field where they plant crops, determine the distance of seeds to be planted, and estimate the weight of the fertilizer to be used. They also track the expenses and income, calculate yields, and analyze data related to crop growth or livestock health. It also helps them to calculate profits or losses regarding the status of crops and livestock products.
Indeed, by developing further the learners’ numerical literacy skills, learners could integrate the tasks to a practical context like budgeting for the supplies needed, planning crop rotations, and determining market prices for goods or products.
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