Role of students’ academic procrastination in shaping mathematics achievement

Abstract

This study explores the role of academic procrastination in shaping mathematics achievement in Nepali schools. Utilising a quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 474 students selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from eight public secondary schools in Nepal. The data were analysed using t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions. The findings reveal significantly higher levels of both academic achievement and procrastination. Moreover, a high level of academic procrastination was found to have a significant negative effect on mathematics achievement. Influential factors in this correlation include students’ ethnicity, study hours at home, family size, and parents’ educational background. Stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and policymakers, should collaborate synergistically to address the underlying causes of procrastination and provide robust support mechanisms to enhance students’ learning outcomes.

Keywords

• Academic procrastination
• achievement
• mathematics
• learning activities
• Nepal