AN  EVALUATION OF SCHOOL POPULATION AND ITS EFFECT ON  TEACHING AND LEARNING

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Over the course of many decades, educators have examined and discussed the topic of class size. Variables including socioeconomic level, race, and educational techniques all have an impact on the results of various research (Summers & Wolfe, 1976; Wend ling & Cohen, 1981; Shapson, Wright, Eason & Fitzgerald, 1978; Mosteller, 1995). Additional research has looked at the relationship between overpopulation and academic attainment (Burnett, 1995) or density and behavior (Burnett, 1995,Loo & Smetana, 1978). There has been a lot of study on crowding, according to Weinstein (1979), covering the factors of perceived overcrowding, the consequences of overcrowding on task performance, and emotional and social responses to crowding. However, since the architectural areas of schools have not been studied, the density of individual schools and its link to academic achievement has not been a consideration in research. When it comes to questions concerning class six, now is a good moment. A significant longitudinal study resolves the issue "Do smaller classes result in higher academic accomplishment in primary schools?" after years of discussion, conjecture, and research that yielded only partial and less-than-definitive answers (Weinstein, 1979).

The conclusiveness of the results, as well as the consequences for kids at risk and education policy in general, are explored. The approaches that have been taken to assess the costs and benefits of reducing school population and process additional dimensions that need to be considered, as well as the explores the implications of school population for classroom management and instructional strategies, with a special focus on the need to increase the academic engagement of at-risk students (Weinstein, 1979). The agenda is primarily concerned with the impact of small versus big classrooms in elementary education. In tiny courses in the higher grades, the status of research will be fragmented and even inconsistent, with nothing to suggest that it is founded on meaningful study results. There are many compelling reasons to begin  intervention programs in primary schools. Because of the overwhelming common sense appeal of small classes to relieve challenges unique to our schools, the problem remains (Weinstein, 1979). Small courses are an important part of federally subsidized programs, including special education classes for low-income students. Small classrooms or groups of students working with a single instructor or tutor are also a staple of programs aimed at at-risk students. As can be observed in Nigeria today, the level of education has deteriorated as compared to earlier times, when a standard size bearer was more capable than a university graduate. This indicates that the primary school administrator and population size should be adequately expressed, since the primary school level is the backbone of any country's educational success.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

According to Wohlwill and van Vliet (1985) who outlined the repercussions of overpopulation as "Excess levels of stimulation; tension and arousal; a drain on available resources; excessive interference; decreases in desired privacy levels; and loss of control seem to be the results of overpopulation settings involving either too many children or too little space." A large population or a lack of space also need more repairs and upkeep than usual (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2000). The issue is that pupils need enough space since overcrowding leads to behavioral issues and raises maintenance costs. The study therefore, attempts to investigate school population and its effect on  teaching and learning.        

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of the study is school population and its effect on  teaching and learning. The specific objective is as follows:

i.          To examine the factors responsible for the overpopulation  of schools.

ii.        To find out the effect of overpopulation on teaching and learning in the classroom.

iii.      To evaluate the relationship between overpopulation and students academic performance.

iv.      To find out probable solution to the issue of overpopulation in schools.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

i.          What are the factors responsible for the overpopulation  of schools?

ii.        What are the effect of overpopulation on teaching and learning in the classroom?

iii.      Is there a  relationship between overpopulation and students academic performance?

iv.      What are the probable solution to the issue of overpopulation in schools?

1.5         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

It is hoped and believed that the findings of this study will be able to provide meaningful suggestion on how the school population is affecting the academic performance of the pupils in primary and how to check the population of the class for effective teaching and learning.

The research work will provide suggestions on better class arrangement of the primary school pupils. Similarly the findings and recommendation in this study will be of significant assistance to the state and nation at large.

1.6    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will examine the factors responsible for the overpopulation  of schools. The study will also find out the effect of overpopulation on teaching and learning in the classroom. The study will further evaluate the relationship between overpopulation and students academic performance. Lastly, the study will find out probable solution to the issue of overpopulation in schools. Hence the study will be delimited to some selected primary schools in Esan North-East LGA, Edo state.

1.7       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

*LIMITATION OF THE STUDY*

Just like any other research, unavailability of needed accurate materials on the topic under study, and inability to get data were among the constraints the researcher encountered in the cause of this study. Financial constraint was equally faced by  the researcher, in getting relevant materials  and  in printing and collation of questionnaires. Furthermore, time factor pose another constraint because the researcher have to shuttle between writing of the research and engaging in other academic work which made it uneasy for the researcher.

1.8    DEFINITION OF TERMS

Overpopulation: the condition of being populated with excessively large numbers.

Teaching: the occupation, profession, or work of a teacher.

Learning: the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.

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