An Inquiry into the Influences of Overcrowded Classromms on the Academic Achievement of Students at Secondary School level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study was aimed to explore the effects of overcrowded classroom on the academic achievement of students at secondary school level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of Pakistan. The population for this study comprised all the students, teachers and principals in all public secondary schools in KP. Sample was taken from the population consisted of 600 10th grade students (20 respondents from each secondary school), 143 teachers (5 respondents from each secondary school) and 30 principals (each from each secondary school).The study sample was selected through multistage cluster sampling and random sampling techniques. Convergent Parallel mixed-methods research design was used in this research study. The data collection tools were questionnaires; pass percentage of 10th grade students for the last five years 2013-17, and interviews. The views of the students and teachers regarding overcrowded classrooms were evaluated through questionnaire administered by the researcher after its validity and reliability. Total seven hundred and forty three respondents were administered the questionnaires include 10th grade students and secondary school teachers. Items of the questionnaire were developed on the basis of the problems of overcrowded classroom with five point’s likert type rating scale. Last five years (2013-17) SSC annual examination results of 10th grade students recorded from the gazette books provided by BISEs to the sampled secondary schools. Interviews conducted with thirty secondary schools principals. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to collect pertinent information for the study. The collected data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, means, medians, mode, standard deviation, correlation and stalked bar graph. Correlation between 10th grades enrolled students and their pass percentage for last five years (2013-17) in the SSC annual examination results were analyzed. The results showed much agreement between the views of teachers and students on the issue. The sampled secondary schools were lacking enough classrooms and teaching staff. The study showed majority of the teachers were facing disciplinary, evaluation and instructional problems in overcrowded classroom. The findings of the current study indicated that an overcrowded classroom can influence the academic achievement of the students at secondary school level and is one of the major factors responsible for decline of education standard. Overcrowded classrooms also have effect on the teaching efficiency of the teachers. The study recommends that government should take steps to overcome the problem of overcrowding, by constructing additional classrooms, recruiting more teaching staff, starting second shift and implementing strict rule during admission keeping limited students in a single classroom in public secondary schools. 11 Keywords: Overcrowded Classroom, Academic Achievement, Classroom, Student, School