Analysis of large class-size and its effects on teaching and learning process among students’ secondary schools in Potiskum local government area

Abstract

The study was carried out on the evaluation of the effects of over-population on teaching and learning of among students in junior secondary schools in Potiskum Local Government Area. To guide the study, 3 research questions in line with purpose of the study were formulated. Descriptive Survey Research Design was adopted for the study. The target population of the study was the entire teachers in randomly selected four junior secondary schools in Potiskum Local Government Area. Stratified Random Sampling Technique was adopted to select 40 teachers from the 4 junior secondary schools to constitute the sample size of the study. Structure Questionnaire was the major instrument used to collect data for the study. The data collected was analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation for the questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that, inability of teachers to paid attention to individual students that need special attention, lack of classroom control and management at overcrowded classroom and teachers found it difficult in conducting effective continuous assessment in classroom are some of the problems faced by teachers and students in teaching and learning in over-populated classrooms in junior secondary schools of Potiskum Local Government Area. The findings of the study also revealed that, high numbers of the students in classroom affect academic performance and that smaller class’s size lead to improvement of academic performance are some of the effects of over-population on the quality of teaching and learning in junior secondary schools in the study area. The findings of the study further revealed that, Admission of the students in junior secondary schools should be based on minimum standard as specified National Junior Secondary School Curriculum and provision of modern teaching aids such as overhead projectors, power point presentation device that each and every individual student will view the content of the lesson in the classroom are some of the ways forwards for overcoming the problems faced by teachers and students in over-populated classroom during teaching and learning in junior secondary schools in the study area. It was recommended that, a ratio of 1:40 teachers to students is hereby suggested for junior secondary schools as stated in the National Policy of Education (2013).