TEACHERS' UTILIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PUPILS' INTEREST AND PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN NIGER STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

This study examined the provision and effective utilization of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics in primary schools in Senatorial Zone C, Niger State, Nigeria. Instructional materials play a vital role in facilitating effective communication between teachers and learners by making mathematical concepts more concrete, meaningful, and easier to understand. The study adopted a research design involving teachers and pupils in selected primary schools. The sample comprised 130 pupils and 134 teachers who responded to the designed questionnaires. In addition, 35 pupils participated in the experimental and control groups. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Fractional Mathematics Test (FMT), consisting of ten objective questions on fractions, alongside questionnaires administered to teachers and pupils. The data collected were analysed to determine the availability, utilization, and effects of instructional materials on pupils' academic performance in mathematics. The findings revealed that school management and teachers made efforts to provide instructional materials to support mathematics teaching and learning. The results also indicated that the effective utilization of instructional materials enhances pupils' academic performance in mathematics. The study concluded that instructional materials are essential for improving mathematics instruction and promoting pupils' understanding and achievement. It recommended that teachers should consistently integrate appropriate instructional materials into mathematics lessons, while educational stakeholders should intensify efforts to provide adequate instructional resources for primary schools.