Topic: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF OVERCROWDED CLASSROOM ON THE PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN OGBARU L.G.A.

Chapter One

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

School is a place where the teacher and the learners (pupils) are in close proximity. The teacher and the pupils are under the umbrella of teaching and learning process. It is a place where an individual gets formal education. The more this umbrella provides facilities, the more genuine learning will be taken place. According to Emile Durkhein (1972), “education is a systematic transmission of the shared values of society and simultaneously teaching the specialized skills for an economy based on a specialized division of labour.”Omokhodun ( 2009), sees education as the transfer of past knowledge, skills and values of the entire human society from generation to generation in order to prepare the individuals for their positive contributions to themselves and their society, and to help the individuals attain the development of his potentialities. It is the transmission of the values and accumulated knowledge of the society. Bolarin(2012),considers education as process by which the individuals develop the abilities, attitudes and other forms of behaviour which are acceptable in a given society. The importance of education made the establishment of the school mandatory, the school is an institution devoted to learning, and it serves as a formal centre where formal education is provided. It is a factory where educated men and women are produced. Considering the importance of the school environment, the condition of school environments in Nigeria especially public schools calls for a concern. Geometric increase in population in Nigeria has resulted to geometric increase in the population of school children and adolescents while the infrastructure is at arithmetic progression. This rate of increase in students’ enrolment into public schools has led to over-crowding of classrooms, over usage of facilities equipment and materials and the over use of the school environment. Most public schools are overcrowded and thereby exist with environmental and classrooms problems like truancy, noise making, medical/health problems, fighting among others. As a result of these problems, this research emerged to study the impact of over-crowding of classrooms on academic performance of students. It is hoped that this study will afford the opportunity to executive the Qualitative education remains the fulcrum for global development and freedom. Hence, all hands must be on deck globally to formulate policies that will enhance qualitative education right from primary school to tertiary institution, and continuous, effective monitoring must be well established to check all factors that may frustrate this global pursuit. Hence, most societies require children to attend school for a specified number of years or until they reach a certain age. Many of the benefits of schooling occur in part because students learn some new knowledge or skills that enhance their ability to communicate, solve problems, and make decisions. Academic achievement of pupils especially at the primary school level is not only an indicator to the effectiveness or otherwise of schools but a major determinant of the future of youths in particular and the nation at large. The channel through which the attainment of individuals and the nation’s educational goals can be achieved is learning. Learning outcomes have become a phenomenon of interest to all and this account for the reason why scholars have been working hard to unravel factors that militate against good academic performance (Aremu&Sokan, 2002). This phenomenon has been variedly referred to in literature as academic achievement, or scholastic functioning. Academic achievement of learners has attracted attention of scholars, parents, policy –makers, administrators and planners. The problems of shortage of classrooms with large pupils’ enrollment results to overcrowded classroom. This is the sad truth in many Nigerian classes especially in the major towns and cities with many classes registering over fifty (50) to one hundred (100) pupils and above which is clearly the internationally recommended standard.Considering the importance of school environment the condition of school environments in Nigeria especially public schools calls for a concern (Olaleye et al 2017). Overcrowding of classroom is an important factor with respect to academic performance of students. There is a consensus among researchers and educational scholars that, student’s achievement decreases as class size increases. The effect of class size on cognitive achievement has been debated and researched for many years, this has been inconclusive. Class size is the number of students in a class for whom the teacher is responsible and accountable for.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Schooling has multiple purposes, for instance, basic (primary) or lower levels of education are associated with broad based development of pupils. This means that all pupils are able to develop their cognitive, social, emotional, cultural and physical skills to the best of their abilities, preparing them for their further school career. In an attempt to put sound education on ground worldwide, many factors have been incriminated as being responsible for falling standard of education where it is perceived and established. Among such factors is the issue of overcrowded classroom. According to the recommendations of the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) a classroom is a designated place for educational activities. In the formal school community the teacher and pupils ratio of 1:25 is expected. In spite of this recommendation, public schools in Nigeria operate on between 1:50, to 1:70 Teacher-students ratio. This phenomenon has resulted to shortage of infrastructures, books, instructional materials and other useful items needed for effective teaching and learning. On this note, academic standard has been on the decline in the country and certificates issued by Nigerian institutions are as a result being subjected to serious scrutiny in other countries of theworld especially in Europe and America. It is in the light of the above that this research assesses by investigation the impact of overcrowded (poor) situation on academic performance having believed that teaching and learning can only take place under a conducive environment.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of the study is to investigate the impact of overcrowded classroom on primary school pupils’ academic performance in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state. Specifically, the study sought to: 1. To investigate into the effect of classroom size on the educational performance of primary school pupils. 2. To determine the extent to which classroom seating arrangement affect educational performance of primary school pupils 3. To examine the factors responsible for the overcrowded classroom in primary schools.

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