DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2017.v04i02.001

Pages: 62-66

This present study‟s main focus was to analyse the causes of poor performance of pupils in Mathematics at Grade Seven examinations in farm schools in Mrewa District of Zimbabwe. The research used the quantitative research methodology and adopted the descriptive survey design. The target population included all primary schools in Mrewa District in Matabeleland Province in Zimbabwe. Random sampling was used to arrive at a sample of 200 respondents made up of 117 females and 83 males. All the information was collected through a questionnaire. The study revealed that there was a serious shortage of human, material, financial and in fractural resources that negatively impacted on pupils‟ performance in the Grade Seven Mathematics examinations. There was also a very high teacher turn-over due to the poor working conditions as well as political volatility in the environment. The study recommends that teachers should not be allowed to transfer during the course of the year to allow for continuity and stability in the teacher establishment.