An Analysis of Gaps in Elementary School Students’ Mathematical Literacy in Solving Contextual Problems
Main Article Content
Ety Mukhlesiyeni
This study aims to analyze the gaps in elementary school students’ mathematical literacy when solving contextual problems. Mathematical literacy is understood as students’ ability to formulate, apply, and interpret mathematics in various real-life contexts. However, learning practices in elementary schools are often still dominated by procedural and textbook-oriented approaches, resulting in a gap between expected competencies and students’ actual abilities. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach with a case study design. Data were collected through contextual mathematical literacy tests, analysis of students’ written work, classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews with students and teachers. The results indicate that the most prominent gaps occur in (1) understanding contextual situations, (2) translating contexts into mathematical representations, (3) selecting appropriate problem-solving strategies, and (4) interpreting mathematical solutions back into real-life contexts. These gaps are influenced by limited exposure to contextual problems, teachers’ focus on procedural mastery, and students’ low confidence in reasoning and argumentation. The findings suggest that systematic efforts are needed to integrate contextual and meaningful learning into elementary mathematics instruction to strengthen students’ mathematical literacy.
Amir, M. F., Septiarini, A. R., & Wardana, M. D. K. (2023). Mathematical literacy-oriented student worksheets using the Sidoarjo context. Formatif: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan MIPA, 13(1), 1–12.
Effendi, K. N. S., Zulkardi, Z., Putri, R. I. I., & Yaniawati, P. (2019). Developing mathematics worksheet using futsal context for school literacy movement. Journal on Mathematics Education, 10(2), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.10.2.7307.203-214
Gravemeijer, K., Stephan, M., Julie, C., Lin, F.-L., & Ohtani, M. (2017). What mathematics education may prepare students for the society of the future? International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 15(1), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-017-9814-6
Kolar, V. M., & Hodnik, T. (2021). Mathematical literacy from the perspective of solving contextual problems. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(1), 467–483. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.10.1.467
Laurens, T., Batlolona, F. A., Batlolona, J. R., & Leasa, M. (2018). How does realistic mathematics education improve students’ mathematics cognitive achievement? Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(2), 569–578. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/76959
Marisa, R., Santi, Y., Yeni, E. M., & Nirmala, S. D. (2023). Mathematical disposition analysis of elementary school students on their mathematical problem-solving skill. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 12(1), 147–156. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v12i1.9588
Mukhlesiyeni, E. (2024). Reading literacy: Difficulty in understanding problems in mathematical problem solving. Genderang Asa: Journal of Primary Education, 5(2), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.47766/jga.v5i2.4998
Nurjanah, N., Jupri, A., & Suryadi, D. (2020). Students’ difficulties in solving mathematical literacy problems. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1521(3), 032087. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1521/3/032087
OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 assessment and analytical framework. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/b25efab8-en
OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 assessment and analytical framework. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/dfe0bf9c-en
Putri, R. I. I., & Zulkardi. (2020). Designing PISA-like mathematics tasks using Indonesian contexts. Journal on Mathematics Education, 11(2), 277–292. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.11.2.10216.277-292
Rahmawati, N., & Prabawanto, S. (2022). Teachers’ perspectives on mathematical literacy-oriented learning in elementary schools. Journal of Mathematics Education Research, 6(2), 89–101.
Rusdiana, R., Samsuddin, A. F., Muhtadin, A., & Fendiyanto, P. (2023). Development of mathematical literacy problems using East Kalimantan context. Jurnal Cendekia: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(1), 197–210. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v7i1.1885
Sulistiani, L., & Zulkardi. (2019). Developing PISA-like mathematics problems using Indonesian food context. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1315(1), 012078. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1315/1/012078
Vos, P. (2018). “How real people really need mathematics in the real world”—Authenticity in mathematics education. Education Sciences, 8(4), 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8040195
Wijaya, A. (2018). Improving students’ mathematical literacy: Problems and strategies. Springer.
Yeni, E. M., Wahyudin., & T. Herman. (2020). Difficulty analysis of elementary school students in mathematical problem solving in solutions. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 9(3), 44–47


