EFFECTS OF LARGE CLASS SIZE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF N. C. E. STUDENTS OF FCE PANKSHIN IN GENERAL EDUCATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page …………………………………………………………………….. i
Declaration …………………………………………………………………..ii
Approval page ………………………………………………………………iii
Dedication ……………………………………………………………………iv
Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………..v
Table of content ……………………………………………………………vii
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………….x

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study …………………………………… 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ………………………………….. 5
1.3 Purpose of the Study …………………………………….. 6
1.4 Research Questions ……………………………………… 7
1.5Research Hypothesis ………………………………………. 7
1.6 Significance of the Study ……………………………………. 8
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study …………………….. 10
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms …………………………… 10

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 12
2.2 Concept of Class Size ………………………………………… 12
2.3 Class Size and Student Educational Performance …………….. 14
2.4 The Influence of Class Size on the Quality of Learning ……….. 16
2.5 Gender and Class Size as a Correlate of Academic Achievement… 22
2.6 Problems of Large Class Size ………………………………. 28
2.6.1 Poor Academic Performance ………………………………… 28
2.6.2 Increase Teacher Workload …………………………………. 29
2.6.3 Increase Administration Cost ……………………………………… 30
2.7 Solutions to the Problems of Large Class Size …………………. 30
2.7.1 Adequate Funding …………………………………………. 31
2.7.2 Recruitment of more Teachers …………………………………… 32
2.7.3 Construction of more Schools and Classrooms ……………….. 33
2.8 Factors Influencing NCE students’ Academic performance ….. 34
2.9 Summary of Literature Review ……………………………………. 42

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………… 44
3.1 Research Design ………………………………………………… 44
3.2 Population of the Study ……………………………………….. 45
3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique ………………………………… 45
3.4 Validity and Reliability …………………………………………. 45
3.5 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument ……………….. 46
3.6 Method of Data Analysis ………………………………………….. 46

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDING
4.1 Research Question One …………………………………………. 49
4.2 Research Question Two ………………………………………… 50
4.3 Research Question Three …………………………………………… 53
4.4 Answering Research Hypothesis …………………………………. 56
4.5 Discussion of major Findings …………………………………….. 57
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary ……………………………………………………………… 59
5.2 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………… 60.
5.3 Recommendations ……………………………………………………… 60
5.4 Limitations of the Study ……………………………………………. 61
5.5 Suggestion for further studies ……………………………………… 61
5.6 Contribution to knowledge …………………………………………. … 63
References …………………………………………………………………….. 64
Appendices ……………………………………………………………………. 69

ABSTRACT
This research work investigated the effects of large class size on the academic performance of NCE students of FCE Pankshin in general education courses. For this study a stratified random sampling was used to sample 150 (students) from the three selected departments in FCE Pankshin. Ex-post facto research design was used, the instrument used for data collection was the existing results of students’ extracted from the exams office. Grade point average and simple mean was used to answer research the research questions, while t – test for independent variable was used to analyzed the hypothesis. The findings of the research indicated that there is no direct significant effect of large class size on students’ performance. In conclusion the researcher recommended among others that colleges should set it priority right to ensure resources are channeled to areas that are more important such as provision of lecture halls, man power, teaching and learning equipments and other infrastructural facilities to ensure easy teaching and lea

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Class size has been one of the problem in the educational sector that developing nations have been grappling with Nigeria is a developing nation and has its own fair share of this problem at the tertiary level of education. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of class size on student’s academic performance. The overwhelming majority of these studies have focused on elementary school and even preschool effects of class size on student’s performance. Only a handful of the studies have focused on the role that class size play on the academic performance in tertiary education. The conventional wisdom, among parents, teachers, school administrators, and policy makers is that small class sizes translate to improvements in students learning and performance. This conventional wisdom however, has not been universally supported by empirical evidence. While a number of a number of the studies have found support for the importance of class size on students’ performance.
Relating this study to international studies is the assertions of Williams, Persaud, and Turner (2008), quoting Marsden (2005), which reported that safe and orderly classroom environment ( the aspect of instructional space ), school facilities ( accessories ) are significantly related to students performance in schools. The three researchers also quoted Glassman (1994) asserting that a comfortable and caring environment among other treatments help to contribute to students’ academic performance. The physical characteristics of the classroom have a variety of effects on students and the teaching and learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high level carbon dioxide in classrooms, and inconsistent temperature makes teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective ventilation system lead to poor health among students as well as teachers which leads to poor performance and high absentee rates (Frazier, 2002 Lyons, 2001; and Ostendorf, 2001). These factors can adversely affect behavior and leads to high level of frustration among teachers, and poor learning attitude among students. Poor academic performance according to Aremu and Sokan (2003) is a performance that is adjudged by the examiners and stakeholders in the educational sector as falling below the expected standard.
Poor academic performance has been observed in general studies education courses among NCE students of Federal college of education Pankshin. Aremu (2000) stresses that academic failure is not only frustrating to the students and parents: its effects are equally grave on the society in terms of dearth of manpower in all spheres of economy.
Education at the NCE level is supposed to be the bedrock, foundation, and investment as well as instrument that can be used to achieve a more rapid economic, social, political, technological, scientific and cultural development in the country. The NCE education is an instrument for national development that fosters the worth and development of the individual for further education and development, general development of the society and equality of educational opportunities to all Nigerians irrespective of any real or marginal disabilities. In most colleges general studies education courses are characterized by large class size which in turn affects the performance/achievement of the students. This situation is not so different in federal college of education Pankshin. This is to say students do perform better in their various departments, but tend to under -perform in general studies education courses. To compound issues, most lecture halls for general education courses can’t comfortably accommodate all the learners and this result to overcrowding in classes. It is a well known fact that whenever the total number of students is beyond the classroom capacity, such that the teacher cannot comfortably cope with the teaching process will be ineffective and can’t bring about the needed change in behavior. By implication, the higher the number of students, it makes it quite strenuous for the teacher to meet up the needs of students academically. Simply put large class size makes it a virtual impossibility for students to attain the best level of performance in terms of their general studies education courses.
It is against this background that this study investigates the effects of large class size on the general studies performance of NCE students in Federal college of education Pankshin.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The phenomenon of overcrowded classrooms as well as poor quality and inadequate furniture in the classroom has taken its toll on the educational system. Only few people will deny that the quality of teaching and learning is on the decline at all levels of the educational system. The decline in the performance of NCE students in general studies education courses examination in recent years is one potent indicator. The increase in examination malpractices cannot be divorced from poor seating arrangement in general education studies classes and examination halls. The quantity and quality of interaction are likely to be adversely affected due to overcrowded classroom and lack of space, the overwhelming number of students that the teacher has to deal with within the limited time that is allocated for the lesson.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of this study is to examine the effects of large class size on general studies performance of NCE students in federal college of education Pankshin. Specifically, this study seeks to examine:
1. The factors that inhibits students learning and performance in general studies education courses.
2. To determine the average performance of student’s in their departmental courses and general courses.
3. The effects of large class size on general studies performance of NCE students.
4. The possible ways of addressing the problems of class size as it affects the academic performance of NCE students in general studies education.

1.4 Research Questions
The following research question will serve as the basis for the conduct of this research:
1. What are the factors that inhibit students learning and performance in general studies education courses?
2. What is the relationship that exists between general studies education class size and student’s performance in general studies education in NCE?
3. To what extent does class size influence the performance of NCE students in general studies education?
4. What are the possible ways of addressing the problems of large class size as it affects the performance of NCE students in general studies education?
1.5 Hypothesis
The hypothesis to be tested is:
Ho: There is no significant relationship between class size and student’s academic performance in their departmental courses and their performance in general studies courses.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The main aim of carrying out research in education is to bring about positive improvement in the practice of education through finding new knowledge or information. Therefore, this research is important in many areas to the following stakeholders in the business of education for obtaining good output in federal college of education Pankshin and the country at large. This study is significant and beneficial to:
(1) The teachers in many areas. The research will make the teacher conscious of current status of education within the area of study. The study will also expose to them the problem of large class size and the need for conducive learning environment.
(2) The parents are also expected to benefit from this study. It has been observed that the concern of most parents today is mainly on what they can do to positively contribute to the education of their children. This research will therefore help parents to be aware of the challenges children (students) face in school and how overcrowded classrooms affects the academic performance of their children. It has been observed that qualitative education is mostly desired by every parent.
(3) The study is very crucial to curriculum planners. Curriculum planners are professional individuals who are active participants in the field of curriculum and are responsible for curriculum planning as regards to contents and implementation procedures. Therefore, curriculum planning has been seen as a collection of readings that presents the knowledge, skills and alternative strategies needed by curriculum planners and teachers at all levels of education from early childhood through adulthood. Thus, the curriculum planners through this study will come to know whether the curriculum system of schools’ in the area of study is in line with schools’ curriculum system or not, so that necessary steps or action would be taken to ensure an effective curriculum that will meet the needs of the society.
(4) Through this study, the society as a whole will come to the realization that urgent steps need to be taken to address the problems that students face: particularly in terms of infrastructural inadequacies and how this result to overcrowd classrooms thereby negatively affecting the academic performance of students.
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This research work focuses on the effect of large class size on general studies education performance of NCE students in federal college of education Pankshin. This research work covers a few departments in the college, due to financial and time constraint, the researcher restricted it to some selected departments.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms.
Effects: A change produced as a result of an exposure to experience.
Large: Big in size, amount, or number.
Class Size: The average number of students per class.
Performance: Refers to the ability to undertake a particular task after exposure to an experience.