CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
It is generally believed that students’ ability towards a subject is a key factor that determines the academic achievement of such students in that particular subject. In other words high ability level towards a subject, result to good academic achievement in that subject. While low ability level towards a subject and government in particular, result to bad achievement in government. Also, the size of a class is an important factor that determines the level of academic achievement of students in government class. In recent times, the size of a class has tremendously increased from the conventional 35-40 to about 90-100. This of course is not a welcome development, because it has reduced the level of academic turnout which has an adverse be referred to as an educational tool that can be used to describe the average number of students per class in a school. Hoffman (2008) describes it as the number of students per teacher in a class.
Kedney (2009) stated that it is a tool that can be used to measure the performance of the education system. In relation to size, Dean (2004) compared class size in some countries and found that Turkey, Norway and Netherlands had class-sizes of 20 or more: the UK, USA, Japan, Canada and Ireland had class- sizes of between 15and 20, while France, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Italy and Belgium had class- sizes of below 15. Nwadiari (2000) argued that the higher the class -sizes, the lower the cost of education. He contended however, that most classrooms are overcrowded spreading resources thinly and thereby affecting the quality of education. Commeyras (2003) however, reported that effective teaching seems impracticable for teacher having large class- sizes of 75,100 or more. In terms of outcomes of performance, schuitz (2003) classified the outcome of education into two categories from the economic point of view. There are consumption and investment. Conh (2005) referred to the consumption aspect as that related to benefits derived by students. He regarded the investment component as including a variety of out puts related to the enhancement of an individuals or society productive skills. Thus, Blaug (2003) argued that the earning of those who benefited from it. There is a tremendous increase in the average size of class these days in Nigeria from what it used to be according to Okoro (2005) 35-40 students to 90-100 and more. Ezewu and Okeye (1982), this increase however as a result of the population of education through the Universal Basic Education (UBE) 1999.
There is open enrolment in schools without a corresponding provision of adequate infrastructure. Teachers are in short supply, classrooms are not enough funds to manage the greatly expanded school which collapse after a short while. Every Nigerian child is entitled to education indeed it is describe that every Nigeria child should be educated; otherwise he becomes a weak link in another wise scrunching. To this end, it is very necessary for the teachers to know their students personally. This is almost impossible because of the present stage which a single teacher handles nearly 90-100 students in a class. The student is denied such that the teacher can cooperate with students to harness his or her interest, ambition and aptitudes into the proper course that would lead to the most suitable career.
Given such situation, the best the teacher could do is to stand in front of the class and deliver lectures about individual differences are thrown away. They give up in the face of such obstacle. Little or no attention is paid to student -teacher or student -student interaction. This increase poor academic performance in test and examination. However, students’ abilities in a lower class can be hindered by the size of the classroom due to the above discussed issue, there is need therefore to carry out a search on the effect of students’ abilities, class-size and academic achievement in government.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This study specially investigated the understated problems. Overcrowding of classroom which hinders teacher’s movement around the classroom as such reducing room for individual attention to students. Inaccurate continuous assessment records due to large class- size which could lower academic achievement of students in government class. Inadequate weekly test and assignment conduction due to marking loads involved, which could also affect the academic achievement of students in government class. Noisy classroom as a result of over-population which discourage teachers and students alike from attending classes because of high rate of undisciplined evident in a large class-size.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purposes of the study are as follow:
1. To investigate, if not being able to ask question for clarification in a crowded classroom could affect academic achievement.
2. To analyses the effects of teachers inaccessibility to students for attention and assistance on their academic achievement.
3. To examine how inaccurate continuous assessment records could affect students’ academic achievement.
4. To find out if teaching a large class could make a teacher develop carefree attitude on the job.
1.4 Significant of the Study
The findings will help the government and other researcher to understand the causes of low academic achievement in an overcrowded government classroom, and its effects on students’ abilities. It will also help the government to take appropriate measure in solving the problem of low academic achievement of students in government.