FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN MATHEMATICS TEACHING IN SECONDARY

This study was carried out to investigate factors responsible for the availability and utilization of instructional materials in Mathematics teaching in secondary schools in Ajaokuta Local government, Kogi State. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive survey research was adopted and a targeted population of forty (40) Mathematics teachers was selected using random sampling technique across 20 junior secondary schools in Ajaokuta local government, Kogi state. A structured questionnaire titled Availability and Utilization of Mathematics Instructional Materials (AUMIM) containing 20 items was validated and analyzed according to the research question by experts from Science Education Department, was used as an instrument for data collection. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation. The research questions were answered and tested at a mean of 2.5. The data analysis revealed that funding, educational policies, school administration transparent procedures, and teacher’s participation, lesson periods, durability and relevance of instructional materials, teacher’s knowledge about the instructional materials are factors responsible for availability and utilization of instructional materials in teaching Mathematics. The study recommends increased funding for instructional materials, teacher training programs, and effective administrative support to enhance mathematics teaching.