Impact of Classroom Size on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of classroom size on academic performance of secondary school students in Nigeria. The specific objectives studied include the following: To investigate the effect of class size on the educational performance of secondary school students, to determine the extent to which the class size affects the manner in which teaching and learning is mediated in secondary schools. 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 in public secondary schools in Enugu North Local Government Area. The population, according to the census figure released by the Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB) in 2015 is given as, nine (9) secondary schools in Enugu north LGA, seven hundred and sixty one (761) teachers. (PPSMB 2015), Data treatment method was by use of tables. Based on the findings of this study, this study concludes that large class size contributes to poor academic performance, it results to poor teaching methods, instructional materials are not used properly in a large class size because, it is very hard for the teacher to show the students the instructional material especially those at the back. Some of the recommendations made in the study include that; Policy makers should consider as a matter of priority the issue of increased funding of secondary school education in Nigeria. Increased funding will help to ameliorate problems facing academic performance in secondary schools, School supervisors and inspector should concentrate more on the number of students in each class and avoid overcrowding in classes.