Factors Affecting the Failure Rate in Mathematics: The Case of Visayas State University (VSU)

In teaching and learning mathematics, there are shortcomings and negative factors that result in the failure of students. Hence, this study was conducted to explain the main factors affecting the failure rate in mathematics courses at Visayas State University (VSU). This study uses a random sample of 151 students who failed mathematics courses such as College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus. The different factors affecting the failure rate in mathematics were identified using a structured questionnaire. The students’ perception of learning mathematics and the students’ perception of a mathematics teacher were measured using a developed students’ perception questionnaire. Median and quartile variation were used to summarize the perception scores. Chi-square goodness of fit was used to describe the different factors if it follows a uniform distribution. The Chi-square test for independence was also used to determine the relationship between student’s perceptions and the factors affecting the failure rate. Results revealed that there were five main factors affecting the failure rate in mathematics that does not follow a uniform distribution namely: poor study habits (51%), negative learning attitudes (22.5%), social environment (13.9%), emotional problem (7.3%) and financial problem (5.3%). The study shows that these students were interested in learning mathematics, but the quartile variation reveals that these responses were not consistent. On average, their mathematics teacher was rated as very satisfactory in terms of teaching strategies and the result was consistent with the quartile variation. Furthermore, results show that there is no relationship between the factors affecting the failure rate and students’ perception of learning mathematics. Also, no relationship is found between factors affecting the failure rate and students’ perception of a mathematics teacher.