THE IMPACT OF CLASSROOM SIZE ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IKPOBA OKHA LGA IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The research work was carried out to assess “The Impact of Classroom Size on the Academic Achievement Among Secondary School Students in Ikpoba Okha LGA in Edo State, Nigeria”. The main purpose of this study is to determine the How class size affects students’ performance. The simple random technique was used to select the sample for the study, while a 19 item questionnaire was employed as the method of data collection which was personally administered by the researcher. The research sampled 220 students from five different schools in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, while the data generated was analyzed using simple statistical technique such as means and standard deviation. The data generated were analyzed and interpreted and summary of the research findings were made: The findings revealed the following:Class size affect the either positively or negatively. According to the respondents, smaller class size has positive effect on the teaching-learning process while larger classes will negatively affect the teaching learning process. The policy of teacher-students ratio is not being implemented in the secondary schools in Ikpoba Okha LGA. There is a very strong relationship between class size and effective teaching and learning of students in Ikpoba Okha LGA. Smaller class size tends to perform better in academic achievement compared to larger class sizes. The following were recommended: The student-teacher class size policy should be implemented. Government should create more classrooms for teaching-learning process. More teachers should be employed and the workload of teachers should be reduced for efficiency.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of classroom size on academic performance of secondary school students in Edo state. The specific objectives focused on in the study include the: To investigate the effect of class size on the educational performance of secondary school students in Edo state, to determine the extent to which the class size affects the manner in which teaching and learning is mediated in secondary schools in Edo state. The research design used in this study is the survey research design. The design of the study was carefully carried out to suit the purpose of the research project using primary source of data. The population of this study consists of teachers and parents whose students are in secondary schools as well as students in Edo state.

Some of the recommendations that the study will attempt is making include; Policy makers should consider as a matter of priority the issue of increased funding of secondary school education in Nigeria. The issue of School supervisors and inspectors will be concentrated upon with a view of optimizing number of students in each class and avoid overcrowding in classes.