THE INFLUENCE OF CLASS SIZE ON THE QUALITY OF OUTPUT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

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THE INFLUENCE OF CLASS SIZE ON THE QUALITY OF OUTPUT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KWARA STATENIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Preamble

The main purpose of this chapter is to briefly express the preliminary premise that underpins the influence of the class size on students’ quality outcome in secondary schools in Kwara State. Moreover the introduction brings into light the study with the research problems, statement of the problem, and significance of the study. The introduction ends with the study questions and the study organization.

 

1.1 Background to the problem

The relationship between class size and academic performance has been a perplexing one for educators. Studies have found that the physical environment, class overcrowding, and teaching methods are all variables that affect students’ achievement (Molnar, et al., 2000).  Other factors that affect student achievement are school population and class size (Gentry, 2000; and Swift, 2000).

The issue of poor academic performance of students in Nigeria has been of much concern to all and sundry. The problem is so much that it has led to the decline in standard of education. Since the academic success of students depends largely on the school environment, it is imperative to examine the impact variables  of class size and school population on the academic performance of students in secondary school.

Large class size and over populated schools have direct impact of the quality of teaching and instruction delivery. Overcrowded classrooms have increased the possibilities for mass failure and make students to lose interest in school. This is because large class size do not allow individual student to get attention from teachers which invariably lead to low reading scores, frustration and poor academic performance.

In order to better understand the skill levels of students, it might be necessary to evaluate factors affecting their performance. These factors can include: school structure and organization, teacher quality, curriculum, and teaching philosophies (Driscoll, Halcoussis, & Svorny, 2003). The idea that school population and class size might affect student performance is consistent with the growing literature on the relationship between public sector institutional arrangements and outcomes (Moe, 1984). The purpose of this study is to further examine the relationship of class size, school population and student academic achievement

 

1.2 Statement of the problem

Secondary education in Nigeria faces many challenges. One of those challenges involves few numbers of new teachers recruited from the colleges in comparison with the increase of enrolment of new students in the secondary schools. As a result of this, one teacher in some of the secondary schools teaches more than recommended number of students in the classroom (40 students per one teacher). The report of World Bank which was last reported in 2010 shows that secondary education teachers in Nigeria are 164,668.0 and the shortage is 58000 teachers. Despite the increase of new classroom construction from 2002 to 2006, still the problem of students-teacher ratio is alarming in both urban and rural secondary schools in Nigeria.

 

However there is no study that has been conducted in Kwara State regarding the influence of class size and students-teacher ratio on student quality outcomes.

The research problem was intended to bridge this gap by evaluating the influence of class size and students-teacher ratio on student quality outcomes in secondary schools.

 

1.3 Objectives

1.3.1 General objective

The general objective of the study was to investigate the influence of class size and students-teacher ratio on student quality outcomes in secondary schools.

 

1.3.2 Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the study are to:

  • To examine the academic performance of students in terminal and annual examinations from 2010-2012.
  • To find out the relationship between students teacher ratios, class size and students’ academic performance.
  • To examine the suggestions for improvement of students’ teacher ratios, class size and students’ academic performance in secondary schools.

 

1.4 Research questions

 

  • What are the academic performance of students students in terminal and annual examination from 2010-2012?
  • What is the relationship between student teacher ratios, class size and student’s academic performance?
  • What are the suggestions for improvement of students’ teacher ratio and class size and students’ academic performance in secondary schools?

 

1.5 Research hypothesis

Ho- There is no relationship between students teacher ratio and student academic performance

Hi- There is relationship between the students’ teacher ratio and students’ academic performance

 1.6 Significance of the study

The findings of the study are meant to help teachers, researchers, key educational policy-makers and other education experts,  on the possibilities of developing more effective ways of improving class size and students-teacher ratio in secondary schools. Study results will also provide clarity to the educational community as to which treatment, class size or students – teacher ratio, influences student achievement more positively. This clarification allows school district personnel to move in the appropriate direction and improve the schooling condition for learners by choosing class-size organization or students-teacher ratio organization

 

1.7 Scope of the study

The secondary populations for this study was secondary school teachers and students in class size and students-teacher ratio class settings, during the 2009 to 2012 school years, who had outcome-test results.

 

1.8 Organization of the study

Chapter 1 provides an introduction, background to study, statement of the problem, research questions, objectives, scope of the study, significance of the study and organization of the study.

Chapter 2 discusses the Literature review including theoretical and empirical parts, conceptual framework and research model and hypotheses on influence of class size and students-teacher ratio on the student quality outcomes.

Chapter 3 describes the research methodology including the type of the study, study area, study population, units of analysis, variables and their measurements, sample size and sampling techniques, types and sources of data, data collection methods, validity issues, and data analysis methods.

Chapter 4 deals with data presentation and analysis of findings. The data are presented and analyzed in line with the research objectives that guided the study

 

THE INFLUENCE OF CLASS SIZE ON THE QUALITY OF OUTPUT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

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