Abstract:
The present study attempts to examine the effect of demographic
characteristics and students' attitudes on the mathematics performance
of G.C.E. O/L students in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from 110
students who sat for the 2019 G.C.E. O/L examination, in Ratnapura
Educational Zone in Sri Lanka. A structured questionnaire was used for
data collection as a google form. ANOVA, t-tests, correlation tests, and
descriptive statistics were employed for the data analyzing process.
The results indicated that there are significant associations between
mathematics performance and the demographic factors: residence,
school type, parents’ educational level, and father’s occupation while
the remaining factors: gender, mother’s occupation, family income, and
number of family members didn’t show significant relationships with
mathematics performance. Results revealed a strong and significant
association between mathematics performance and attitudes of
students towards mathematics. Thus, the study provides empirical
evidence which will support education officials, teachers, parents, and
students to plan for achieving a higher performance in mathematics of
G.C.E. O/L students.
