Over-Population And Its Effects On Pupils In Primary Schools

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Education is a productive vehicle for economic, social-cultural and political development of nations and individuals. It is universally recognized as an instrument for enlightenment and progress. It is with this understanding that education is considered as an indispensable input for national development and an avenue for empowering citizens of any nation (Onokpanu, 2016). Education, in this perspective is perceived as cornerstone of economic growth and social development and a principal means of improving the welfare of individuals. A comprehensive outlook into the Nigerian educational system shows that, it is systematically structured into pre-primary, basic, senior secondary and tertiary education. Primary education is the bedrock on which other levels of education are built. The National Policy on Education (2004) refers to it as Education given in an institution for children normally aged 6-11. This is the level that prepared pupils for secondary Education. It is necessary that basic skills are inculcated into learners as specified in the objectives. The primary school education is not only designed to provide permanent literacy and numeracy and the ability to think objectively but also deposit in pupils sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking and the ability to adapt to his changing environment. No wonder, Orukotan (2007) opined that, the primary school educational system has always played an indispensable role in shaping further educational advancement and economic realities of any society. In Nigeria, primary education is provided for children between the ages of 6-11 years. It has a duration of six years. It is the foundation of all education levels and also the bedrock of the entire educational system. The success of other levels of education depends on the success of primary education. This is because education cannot be an instrument part excellence for achieving national development where primary education is not effectively managed to accomplish its aims and objectives (Ajayi & Adeosun, 2004). Teachers are the backbone of the entire education system. Their effectiveness is perhaps the most vital function affecting the future development of education process (Adeyemi, 2008). The establishment of primary schools in Nigeria has witnessed tremendous growth since independence. Likewise, enrolment has been on the increase due to national population growth and the increased demand for education which has led to overcrowding in the primary school system, resulting in overstretching of human and physical resources (Ayodele, Oyebanjo & Oyemyi, 2009). Due to community and individual participation in education today, the number of primary schools has increased geometrically in view of the desire for primary school education (Ayodele, 2016). The astronomical increase in primary school education seems to have led to congested classrooms in primary schools in many states across the country and Delta State appears not to be left out of this problem. Raheem (2003) reported that admission into primary school gallops annually in spite of the decay and inadequate infrastructures in the system. This accounts for overcrowded classrooms in primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Overcrowded classroom can be a situation whereby more people are living within a single dwelling than there is space for, so that movement is restricted, privacy limited, hygiene impossible, and rest very difficult. The effects on quality of life due to overcrowding as a result of children sharing a classroom includes, increased physical contact, lack of privacy, poor hygiene practices, inability to care adequately for sick members and finally poor academic achievement among the pupil. Although there are many problems associated with overcrowded classroom on pupils’ academic achievement as there are with other physical factors, nevertheless, Ayodele (2002) and Nuska (2012) revealed that perhaps overcrowded classroom causes a variety of problems and it seems that pupils in overcrowded schools and classrooms do not score as high on achievement tests and exams as pupils in non-overcrowded spacious classrooms.

Academic achievement is defined in terms of test and examination achievement of pupils. It can also refer to what the pupils have learned or what skills the pupils have learned and are usually measured through tests and examination assessments (Sanrock, 2016). The descriptive assessment information will usually be translated through grading system such as Grade Point Average (GPA) since it provide information of the students’ academic achievement across time. Experience has shown that class size is a major contributing factor to the assumed teachers’ ineffectiveness in many primary schools in the State. For instance, it has been observed that students may be too difficult to control by teachers in many of the large classes due to over congestion of student in this classes (Akudu, 2007). Experience has also shown that teachers tend to lose the ability to attain or establish effective teaching in the overcrowded classroom than small classroom and this problem of large class size in primary schools has been attributed to several factors such as the introduction of too many subjects on primary school time table, which invariably has given birth to accommodation of all the subjects on the school time table couple with the shortage of qualified teaching personnel to teach these subjects (Akudu, 2007). Another problem is the problem of inadequate instructional materials such as graphs, pictures, charts and so on which are very germane for effective instructional delivery in primary schools. These materials are expected to compliment the process of teaching and learning, if they are adequately provided. Even though teachers appear to vary in their attitudes towards teaching large classes, most of them seem not to be favourably disposed to the teaching of large classes and as it is well known; teachers are the backbone of the entire education system, primary education system inclusive. Teachers’ productivity therefore appears to be a function of class size among others. It is against this background, that the present study was contemplated to investigate the influence of overcrowded classrooms on pupil’s academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main focus of this study is to examine over-population and its effects on pupils in primary schools in Delta State.

Investigate the influence of overcrowded classroom on pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Determine the extent class size influences pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Determine how inadequate school facilities influence pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study.

What is the influence of overcrowded classroom on pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State?

To what extent does class size influences pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State?

How do inadequate school facilities influence pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of head teachers and teachers on the influence of overcrowded classroom on pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools.

Ha: There is a significant difference in the mean ratings of head teachers and teachers on the influence of overcrowded classroom on pupils’ academic achievement in public primary schools.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant in that it will reveal the extent to which overpopulation affects both teachers and students. Also, it reveals other factors affecting pupils’ performance as a result of overpopulation. Furthermore, this study will help the school authorities and teachers to design some measures to curb the effect overpopulation has on the academic performance of pupils. And for the stake holders, curriculum planners and teachers, the findings from the study will help them carefully observe the teaching-learning process so as to enable them to draft out more strategic ways of helping the pupils. Finally, the study will add to the body of academic work by providing relevant knowledge and serving as a research tool for students, researchers, and those interested in conducting additional research in this related field.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is delimited to the examination of over-population and its effects on pupils in primary schools in Delta State. The study will be delimited to Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. The respondents for this study will comprises teachers and head teachers working in 45 public primary schools in the local government area.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of the Terms

Overpopulation:

Can be defined as an increase in the number of people living in one geographical area and a place is said to be overpopulated when the resources available cannot cater for the amount of individual resident in a particular area.

Pupil Overpopulation:

This refers to the excess of the number of pupil who are in a certain space whose capacity is not adequate to receive them or have the right conditions for the proper development of them.

Teaching Performance:

It is understood by performance the action of complying with what one is bound to and by the teacher, the person in charge of transmitting knowledge, the person who teaches. The teaching performance refers to the way in which the teacher fulfills the task of training the students. When talking about the form, different aspects are included from the planning, the material, the organization in the classroom, the space, the resources, the teaching methods that it uses, the activities it carries out, the relationships established between students and their person and others

1.10 Organization of the Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.