OVERPOPULATION AND THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF GWALE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

Abstract This study investigates the overpopulation and the academic performance of secondary school students of Gwale local government area, Kano state, students academic performance is a matter of concern in any educational settings, educational psychologist opined that conducive environment is vital to learning, therefore the size of classes and the population therefore the thoroughly be considered. Overpopulation is a serious problem in classroom situation, it lead to congestion of classroom and this adversely affects learning and performances. Nevertheless, certain measure has to be taken as a panacea or to curb overpopulation. This study was carried out not only to find out how overpopulation affects students but also how it affects students interaction and the frequency used coping strategies adopted by the teachers. Findings showed that overpopulation diminishes the quality and quantities of teaching and learning with serious implications for attainment of educational goals. To solve this problem, it is suggested that both the federal and state government make the building of additional classrooms and provision of student’s furniture a priority in their educational planning at all level. The phenomenon of overcrowded classroom as well as poor quality and inadequate furniture in the classroom due to unlimited expansion has taken its toll on the educational system. Only few people will deny that the quality of teaching and learning is on the decline at all levels of the educational systems. The poor result of the senior secondary school examination (SSCE) in almost all subjects in recent years is one potent indicator. The increase in examination malpractices cannot be divorced from poor sitting arrangement as a result of overpopulation and class structures. The quality and quality of interaction in the class are likely to be adversely affected due to lack of space for moving round the class and the over whelming number of students that the teacher has to deal with within a forty minutes lesson.