Determinants of Utilization of Instructional Materials Among Mathematics Teachers in Secondary Schools in Minna Metropolis, Niger Sate, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was on the determinants of instructional material utilization among secondary school mathematics teachers in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria. Mathematics is one of the cornerstone of scientific and technological advancement in both developed and developing counties. Despite the importance of mathematics on scientific advancement and development, the academic performance of secondary school students in the subject in both internal examinations and external assessments like WAEC and NECO continues to fluctuate. While instructional materials are recognized as vital tools for demystifying abstract mathematical concepts, their consistent application in classrooms remains low across the schools in the state. It was based on this that the study was conducted. Three objectives with corresponding null hypotheses guided that study. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was all the mathematics teachers across public and private secondary schools in Minna. The researcher used 200 teachers for data collection using a structured questionnaire. The instrument was adapted from established scales, data were collected on teacher attitudes, resource availability, and institutional support. The instrument’s reliability was established through Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.82. Simple Regression Analysis via SPSS version 27 at a 0.05 level of significance was used for test of the null hypotheses. The results suggested that teacher attitude and perceived workload are significant predictors of utilization. The study concludes that addressing psychological and environmental barriers is essential for improving pedagogical outcomes. It is recommended that school administrators prioritize the provision of modern tools and organize regular workshops to foster a more positive attitude toward instructional resource integration.