Class size and school climate as correlates of secondary school students’ scholastic achievement in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Academic achievement of students, especially at the secondary school level, is not only a pointer to the effectiveness or otherwise of schools but also a major determinant of the future of youths in particular and the nation in general. The medium through which the attainment of individuals and the nation’s educational goals can be achieved is learning. Learning outcomes have become a phenomenon of interest to all, and this accounts for the reason why scholars have been working hard to unravel factors that militate against good academic performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate class size and school climate as correlates of secondary school students’ scholastic achievement in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.

A descriptive research design was used in the study. Six hundred respondents were selected from selected secondary schools in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The respondents were measured with relevant standardized scales (instruments), including the class size scale, school climate scale, and student performance scale, all with strong reliability coefficients. The data obtained was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistical analysis of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Two research hypotheses were raised and answered in the study.