Factors Related to Under Achievement in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) in Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

We report a research into factors related to underachievement in science, technology and mathematics (STM) education in schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study investigated 240 Nigerian secondary school students, 100 parents’, 140 STM teachers and 20 government officials from Port Harcourt Metropolis. Five (5) research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Separate questionnaires were used to collate data from the respondents. Frequencies, percentages, bar chart, mean, standard deviation, variance and analysis of variance were used to answer the research questions and to analysis the result from the hypothesis. The result revealed that most teachers teaching STM related subject are not qualified. They are either higher national diploma (HND) holders or engineers. The result also revealed that students’ have a negative attitude towards STM related subject, parents are too-busy to look into students school work at home and above all there is inadequate funding and a significant difference in the influence of the stakeholders on students’ performance in STM related subjects. Recommendations were made based on these findings.