Effects of Overcrowded Classroom on Academic Achievement of Student in Public Secondary Schools: Implication for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This study examined the effects of overcrowded classroom on academic achievement of student in public secondary schools: Implication for sustainable development. The population for this study consisted of all the teachers and students in public secondary schools in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A total of three hundred and thirty-seven (337) students were randomly selected from four selected schools. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The simple random sampling technique was drawn from the sample used for the study. An instrument titled Effects of Overcrowded Classroom Test (EOCT) was used in collecting data for the study and was developed by the researcher. The instrument used for this study was subjected to face and content validation. Test –retest was used to establish the reliability of the instrument using Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient was used to obtain the reliability index of 0.85. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to gather information for the study. The information obtained was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis indicated that overcrowded classroom significantly influenced behavioral attitude of students towards their studies. It also showed that overcrowding of classrooms significantly affected effective teaching and learning. The analysis further indicated that overcrowding of classroom negatively affected academic performance of students, being the major factor responsible for poor performance of students in public schools. It was concluded that overcrowding of classroom had significantly affected students’ behavioral attitude of students towards their studies. Based on the results and conclusion, the study also recommended among others that Government should fund our education and provide more facilities that will commensurate the access/enrolment.