Effects of Student-Teacher Ratio on Academic Achievement of Selected Secondary School Students in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of student-teacher ratio on academic achievement of selected secondary school students in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. In carrying out the research, a descriptive survey research design was employed. Simple Random Sampling Method was used to select 3 Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State where 120 students were randomly selected (40 students per school). Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A researcher- designed questionnaire and Achievement Test in Mathematic were the major instruments used in collecting the data which were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that there is a significant relationship between student’s perception of students-teacher ratio and academic achievement in Mathematics. The findings also suggest that teacher’s years of experience and qualifications had a significant positive relationship with academic achievement of students in Mathematics. Based on these findings, Recommendations were made for government and stakeholders in education on how to tackle this ugly situation.

Keywords: Student-teacher ratio, class size and academic achievement