Self-Awareness and Mathematics Achievement among Ordinary Level Secondary School Students under the Competency-Based Curriculum in Mbarara City
Abstract
The study explored the relationship between self-awareness and academic achievement in mathematics among ordinary-level secondary school students in Mbarara city, Uganda. A quantitative research approach using a cross-sectional design was adopted. A sample of 235 ordinary level students randomly selected from both private and public secondary schools participated in the study. Data on self-awareness was collected using the self-awareness scale developed by Scheier and Carver (1985), while academic achievement was measured using standardised end-of-term mathematics scores. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed a moderate positive correlation (r =.543, p ≤ .01) between self-awareness and mathematics achievement among ordinary level secondary school students in Mbarara city. The study concludes that fostering self-awareness is a valuable intervention in enhancing achievement in mathematics. Recommendations for future research include conducting longitudinal studies on self-awareness among college and university students.
Downloads
References
Brown, J. (2022). Understanding the self: Emotional intelligence and self-regulation in learning environments. Journal of Psychological Research, 34(2), 122–134.
Duval, S., & Wicklund, R. A. (1972). A theory of objective self-awareness. Academic Press.
Emuria, T. (2023). Challenges facing the implementation of the competency based curriculum in the teaching and learning of mathematics in selected secondary schools in Tororo District (Master’s dissertation, Busitema University). Retrieved from https://ir.busitema.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12283/3797
Ezeaku, A. I., Okoro, P., & Nnamani, U. (2023). Integrating ICT in modern classrooms. Nigerian Educational Publishers.
Habumugisha, J., Bazina, M., & Mvunabandi, D. (2025). An exploration of teachers’ perspectives regarding global citizenship education: Case of selected Rwandan secondary schools. African Journal of Empirical Research, 6(1), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.1.15
Khan, M. A., Yousaf, S., & Latif, N. (2022). Digital learning post-pandemic: A global perspective. Routledge.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.Mbarara City Education Office. (2023). Annual education performance report. Uganda Ministry of Education.
Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Foy, P., & Drucker, K. T. (2020). TIMSS 2019 International results in mathematics and science. TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.
Musinguzi, D., Aheisibwe, I., & Ahabwe, J. (2024). Educational reforms in Uganda: A contemporary review. Fountain Publishers.
Mwangi, J. K., & Ndungu, L. M. (2025). Curriculum innovation and teacher development in Kenya. Nairobi University Press.
Obi, C. C., & Ugwu, D. O. (2022). Learner-centered pedagogies in Nigerian schools. Lagos Educational Publishers.
Rajab, A. M. (2023). Identifying psychological factors that improve mathematics achievement in Grade 9 pupils from Gauteng (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria
Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). The self-consciousness scale: A revised version for use with general populations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48(4), 1091–1097.
Shelley, C., & Robert, J. (1972). Cognitive development in adolescence. Harper & Row.
Shen, Y., Li, H., & Wu, Z. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: Emerging trends and applications. Springer.
Tam, M., Lee, J., & Wong, K. (2023). Measuring self-awareness and self-regulation in adolescents: A review of psychometric tools. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 73, 102178.
UNEB. (2023). Uganda National Examinations Board annual report. Uganda National Examinations Board.
Zhang, Y., & Bian, L. (2021). Statistical methods in educational research: An overview. Journal of Educational Statistics and Research, 5(1), 13
Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory into Practice, 41(2), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4102_2
Copyright (c) 2025 Irene Aheisibwe

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.