Math Anxiety In The Philippines

Introduction

As we step on the path of the new millennium, mathematics has become more absolutely necessary in modern society. Yet, it is discouraging to note that Filipinos experience not only an aversion but a phobia on subject (Brent, 1992). Most students consider mathematics extremely difficult subject to learn.

Math phobia affects a student's attitude towards the subject. Also, a prime reason for poor performance may be fear and anxiety students have towards math. Math anxiety is a phenomenon that is often considered when examining students’ problems in mathematics. Mark H. Ashcraft defines math anxiety as a feeling of tension, apprehension, or fear that interferes with math performance . It determined that math anxiety is related to

They have no interest in the subject due to lack of understanding and of failure to attain computational skills and most of all, of fear inculcated in the student’s mind. He added that this problem originated from practical situations where the social values of arithmetic exist. It is therefore suggested that teaching mathematics should be fun, thus making the students believe that it is easy for them to deal with it. Through practice and understanding of mathematics, fear toward the subject will be lessened, if not totally deleted.

One of the primary aims and urgent problems of the school is to adjust individual students to a school program that can teach mathematics severely in dealing with numbers (Araque, 1998).

Since studies indicate that students have greater tendency to develop mathematical phobia, it is therefore important to find out the level of mathematical phobia of the pupils in order to give proper training and motivation so that they will develop their interest in mathematics subject.

This descriptive study aimed to determine the Mathematical Phobia among first year fisheries students of University of the Philippines

The findings will be beneficial to the following people:

Respondents. The respondents would benefit from this study because they may know their level of phobia in Mathematics and therefore, they would be encouraged to help themselves overcome their fears toward the subject thus, they would develop favorable perception and to perform better.

Mathematics Teachers. The Mathematics Teachers would also benefit from the study in planning their specific programs and activities that could help their students develop positive attitudes towards mathematics.

Parents. The parents could assess their children’s performances in mathematics, and, provide them the necessary help to ease out the fears of their children toward the subject mathematics.

Guidance Counselors. To the counselors, this study will give them the basis how to guide and assist the students in overcoming their fears.

Administration. The results of the study will be profitable to the administration because they will be provided with a clear background on the level of mathematical phobia among the pupils hence; it could suggest strategic measures to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in the said