EFFECTS OF CLASS SIZE ON ECONOMICS TEACHING PROCESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of class size on teaching Economics in Secondary Schools in Jos North Local Government of Plateau State. The design employed for the study is a descriptive survey research design. The instrument used for the collection of data was a questionnaire titled “Class-size and Economics Teaching Process questionnaire” (CETEPQ). Five research questions in line with the economics teaching process were answered using mean scores. The five areas considered in this study are Class size and the teaching of economics; Economics teachers’ experience and their ability in managing large class size; Economics teacher–student relationship and large class size management; School infrastructuresand Economics class size management; and Instructional materials presentation and management, considering the economics class size. The sample consist of seventeen (17) economics teachers from fifteen(15) randomly sampled public secondary schools in Jos North LGA. The findings among others revealed that class size is an important factor the need serious and deliberate consideration in ensuring effective and efficient economics lesson delivery as this affects the lesson delivery, teachers level of relationship with the students, class infrastructures, development and use of instructional materials. Recommendations were made so as to ensure that all hands are on deck for effective teaching and learning of economics.