EFFECTS OF IGBO AND ENGLISH MEDIA OF INSTRUCTION ON PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS IN ANAMBRA STATE

This study determined the effects of Igbo and English media of instruction on primary school pupils’ achievement in Mathematics word problems in Anambra state. It was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test nonrandomized control group design was used. A sample of 136 primary three (3) pupils from a population of 13,433 pupils was used for the study. The sample size was obtained from four primaryschools selectedfrom the two education zones using two stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT). MAT was validated by four experts, two from Department of Science Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka. and two from F.C.E(T), Umunze; one Igbo language teacher and one experience primary school teacher. The reliability of MAT in Igbo was 0.86 while and the reliability of MAT in English was 0.85 which was established using Kudder- Richardson     Formula 20. Experimental group was taught word problems in mathematics using Igbo medium of instruction (Igbo MOI)  while the control group was taught  using English medium of instruction( English MOI). Data were collected by administering MAT on pupils as pre test and post-test. The data obtained were analysed using mean, standard deviation andanalysis of covariance. The findings revealed among others that there is a significant difference between the mean achievement scores of pupils exposed to Igbo MOI and English MOI in favour of the former group. There was no significant difference in the mean achievement scores of male and female pupils exposed to Igbo MOI and English MOI. The study recomended among others that (1) Primary school teachers should use Igbo language to teach primary school mathematics in igbo speaking states.(2) The curriculum planners should develop primary school mathematics curriculum in mother tongue(Igbo language).