Effects of Large Class Size in Teaching and Learning Practical Biology Among Senior Secondary Schools in Gusau Metropolis,zamfara State.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of large class size in teaching and learning Practical Biology among senior secondary schools in Gusau metropolis. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between large class size and the teaching of Practical Biology, identify if there is any effect of large class size on teaching and learning of Practical Biology and to ascertain the relationship between large class size and student achievement in practical Biology. The population of this study consists of all Biology teachers and students offering Biology in Senior Secondary Schools in Gusau metropolis which constituted 97 Biology teachers and 11,832 students. The sample of this study comprised 63 teachers and 370 students respectively among senior secondary schools in Gusau metropolis. A self-structured questionnaire was used in this study, and it was validated by three (3) experts in the department of science education. The study used a descriptive survey research design and descriptive statistics used to generate frequency, mean and standard deviation to analyze the data collected. Reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient at 0.75. Also, the findings from the study revealed that Students of the large class-size suffer a lot in their acquisition of skills in Biology. The teachers of the large class size equally find it difficult to discharge their duties because of the superfluous population of the students in the class. Based on the result of findings in this study, the following recommendations were advanced: Workshops and seminars should be organized for teachers of Biology and other subjects to enhance and improve their classroom efficiencies. The government should make provision for adequate instructional materials; laboratories should also be provided with appropriate equipment and conducive and learning environment to optimize the "teachers" and students" output in Biology.