Though research studies show that achievement in mathematics is a function of many

interrelated variables which can be grouped as student factors, school factors and home factors,
Student attitudes are regarded by many researchers as a key factor to be taken into account
when attempting to understand and explain the student achievement in mathematics (Kogce et
al, 2015). There is a need therefore, to further investigate how factors like student’s attitudes
influence their own learning and achievement in the subject as would provide a level ground for
understanding some of the learner’s behaviors as a result of attitudes. This study was thus
concerned with the effect of attitudes which the learners develop or bring into a classroom
environment of which may interfere with their learning processes and finally on their learning
outcomes. There is a need to understand the learners themselves, their attitudes and
perceptions towards the subject with the aim of suggesting strategies for improvement in the
teaching and learning of the subject.

Attitude as a major factor affecting learning processes, may be implicit hence has not attracted
enough attention from all stakeholders in education and therefore, it is important to consider
the fact that learners can mainly contribute to their learning outcomes as a result of their belief
and perceptions about the subject matter e.g. whether they like it or not and whether they see
any value in it. Attitudes are seen as more or less positive and encompass emotions, beliefs,
values and behavior and hence affect individual way of thinking, acting and behaving which has
a lot of implications to teaching and learning (Mensah et al, 2014). They have a strong effect on
behavior which helps in understanding and predicting peoples’ behavior in a wide range of
contexts. Attitudes though not directly observable are inferred from observable responses and
behaviours which reflect a pattern of beliefs and emotions. They are elicited by certain stimuli
and gradually get established into a consistency or a tendency. A person’s behaviour and choices
when confronted with tasks are determined more by his beliefs and personal experiences rather
than by his knowledge of specific tasks (Pilippou & Christou, 2012).

Several research studies support the fact that students’ success in Mathematics depends upon
the learners’ attitude towards the subject as this determines their ability, willingness to learn,
choice of action and response to challenges. It determines the level of engagement, interest,
personal effort without which one can hardly perform (Garden & Smith, 2016).