The Effect of Remedial Program Practices on the Academic Performance of Slow Learners in Mathematics Subject in Public Lower-Day Secondary School in Rwanda: A Case of Kirehe District

This study investigates the effects of remedial program practices on the academic performance of slow learners in mathematics in public lower-day secondary schools in Kirehe District, Rwanda. The research aimed to assess the effectiveness of these remedial practices in enhancing mathematical problem-solving abilities among slow learners, comparing academic performance before and after participation, and identifying factors that influence the success or failure of these interventions. The study emphasizes the importance of remedial programs in bridging the achievement gap in mathematics and promoting academic equality in Rwanda. A descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods approach was employed, targeting a population of 87,208 individuals, including students, teachers, and headteachers from 64 public secondary schools in Kirehe District. Participants were selected through random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected via questionnaires and interview guides, capturing both quantitative improvements in academic performance and qualitative feedback on the effectiveness of remedial strategies from educators and students. Instrument validity was confirmed using the Content Validity Index (CVI), and reliability was verified with Cronbach's Alpha values of 0.60 and 0.7, respectively. Statistical analyses using SPSS and Microsoft Excel revealed significant outcomes. The study found that 83.32% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that remedial teaching methods enhance the mathematical problem-solving skills of slow learners, with a mean score of 4.33 (SD = 1.10). A strong positive correlation of 0.701 (p = 0.002) was observed between remedial teaching methods and mathematics test scores, underscoring their substantial impact. Additionally, the frequency of remedial sessions was positively correlated with sustained academic improvement (r = 0.454, p = 0.002), while active student participation was identified as a critical factor for success (r = 0.623, p = 0.043). These findings support existing literature on the necessity of structured remedial programs that address the unique needs of slow learners. Effective teaching methods, sufficient session frequency, optimal teacher-student ratios, and active student engagement emerged as key components for improving mathematical problem-solving skills and academic performance. The study recommends the implementation of structured, needs-based remedial programs with increased session frequency to support continuous learning and retention among slow learners.