An assessment of jimma zone grade 10 students’ extrinsic motivations towards mathematics

The main purpose of the study was to assess factors affecting students’ extrinsic motivation and to predict ways of improving students’ academic achievement in Mathematics of grade ten students of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State. Attempts made to identify the major factors that contribute to students’ academic motivations. To this end, a descriptive quantitative survey design was employed. Thus, for this study 10 high schools were selected out of 32 by using purposive sampling techniques. While 21 sections out of 106 sections of grade 10 students studying in the 1st semester of academic year 2015 G.C were selected by systematic sampling technique from the sampled schools. While 1387 students included by using random sampling technique and 10 principals, 40 teachers and 40 PTA were selected by using systematic and purposive sampling technique respectively The data obtained through document analysis, questionnaire from principals, teachers and students and FGD held with PTA or community member. The data gathered through questionnaire were analysed using different statistical tools: percentage, mean score, one way ANOVA and Spearman rank order correlation coefficient. The data gathered thorough document analysis showed that, the academic motivation rate in high School of the study area showed a decreasing tendency. The findings of the study revealed that, low academic motivation rate was a function of in-school and out-of-school factors. Among in-school factors, inadequate supply of school facilities, large class size, lack of appropriate educational guidance and counselling services, lack of teachers support for learners in providing extra tutorial programs, frequent absenteeism of students, student lack of interest toward learning, and poor academic back ground of learners were the major identified factor in the study area. Concerning the out-of-school factors school distance from students home were the major identified factors contribute for students’ academic extrinsic motivation toward mathematics. Generally, the current findings implied that students’ academic motivation of high schools was the commutative effects of both in school and out-of- school factors. Thus changing the current trends of academic motivation problem the study implies that there is a need for an urgent improvement from both in-schools and out-of-schools environment. Based on the findings and conclusion, improving the supply of school facilities, improving pupils’, parents and community awareness, providing full-time guidance and counselling services, and establishing high schools at suiTable location; subsidizing educational materials for pupils were suggested as recommendations.