Performance Assessment of Mathematics and Statistics Students of a Tertiary Institution in Ghana

Abstract

The contribution of mathematics and its allied sciences is central to sustainable economic development of every nation. Students’ performance in mathematics/statistics at tertiary level of education leaves much to be desired. This paper seeks to investigate academic performance of students of students of mathematics and statistics of a tertiary institution in Ghana. It examines students’ performance in mathematics/statistics with respect to; gender, the period from 2000 to 2012, and the nature of relationship in terms of mathematics/statistics achievement between the various semesters of the study. The study made use of data on academic records of ten (10) cohorts of 617 Higher National Diploma, (HND) statistics students who were admitted to and graduated from the Mathematics and Statistics Department of the institution. The study revealed that, although males far outnumbered females, their performances are the same; students’ performance differed among the various years of study.  In general, students’ performance increased across the study period. Further, students’ performances in some of the semesters were found to be related to other semesters. It was recommended that; more females enroll into mathematics and mathematics related programmes to ensure a balanced representation of gender, students’ CGPA be monitored persistently for appropriate advice, and the research work be replicated in other tertiary institutions to give a broader picture of students’ achievement in mathematics/statistics

Keywords: Academic performance, Cumulative Grade Point Average, Mathematics/Statistics