Abstract:
This research work was designed to study the influence of preschool experience on primary 1 pupils’ interest and achievement in Mathematics. Six research questions and six hypotheses guided the study. The expost-facto research design was employed using multistage sampling technique in choosing a total of 160 (80 urban and 80 rural) primary 1 pupils from 8 primary schools in Nsukka Educational Authority of Enugu State. The study made use of researchers developed and standardized instrument titled Teachers’ Mathematics Interest Rating Questionnaire (TMIRQ) and a pro forma to collect data on pupils’ achievement in Mathematics. Data were analyzed using mean and t-test statistic. Result of the study showed that pupils with preschool education experience had higher mean interest scores than their counterparts without preschool education experience. Result also showed a significant difference in interest and achievement scores of pupils in favour of those with preschool education experience. Rural pupils with preschool education experience had higher interest in Mathematics than their urban counterparts. However, urban pupils with preschool education experience had higher achievement in Mathematics than their rural counterparts. No significant difference was observed in their interest and achievement. Also, male pupils with preschool education experience had higher interest and achievement in Mathematics than their female counterparts. Also, no significant difference was noticed in the interest and achievement of male and female pupils. It was recommended that parents should try and send their children to preschools. Government should put in place policies that will encourage children to attend preschools.
