Numeracy Level of Elementary Students: Factors and Effects

The study used stratified random sampling in selecting the respondents. There were seven Grade 6 sections with a total of 785 respondents (402 male and 383 female) who participated in the study. The data obtained were processed through Strata using the following statistical techniques: mean, weighted mean and Pearson product-moment correlation. Results revealed that 403 out of 785 (51.34%) of the pupil respondents belonged to the non-numerates group. The study found that sex, family size, and study habits had a significant relationship to the numeracy level of the respondents. The study also revealed that engaging with gadgets/devices like cell phones, cable TV, social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and online gaming sites had a negatively significant relationship to the numeracy level of the grade 6 pupils. The researcher recommends that teachers and parents should guide and teach the students for the responsible use of technology. The use of modern technology is very helpful in doing assignments, projects and research papers but it has a negative impact if the students used the technology for entertainment and socialization purposes. School administrators should provide a long-term program regarding students’ involvement in extra-curricular activities. Provide seminars and training for the parents on how to support, encourage and help their children in their studies and develop their numeracy skills.