Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This study aims to investigate the relationship between class size and teachers' interest in teaching social studies in primary schools in Essien Udim Local Government Area. The research will focus on understanding how the size of a class impacts teachers' motivation, engagement, and effectiveness in delivering social studies curriculum. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative data from surveys and qualitative data from interviews with teachers in primary schools. The research will involve selecting a sample of primary schools in Essien Udim Local Government Area, with teachers teaching social studies in different class sizes. Quantitative data will be gathered through surveys distributed to teachers to assess their perceptions of class size and its impact on their interest in teaching social studies. The surveys will include questions about class size, teaching workload, motivation, and engagement levels. Additionally, qualitative data will be collected through interviews with selected teachers to gain deeper insights into their experiences with different class sizes and how it influences their interest in teaching social studies. The interviews will explore teachers' perspectives on the challenges and opportunities presented by varying class sizes, as well as their strategies for maintaining motivation and engagement in different classroom settings. The study hypothesizes that there is a significant relationship between class size and teachers' interest in teaching social studies in primary schools. It is expected that teachers in smaller class sizes will report higher levels of interest, motivation, and engagement in teaching social studies compared to those in larger class sizes. The findings of this research can provide valuable insights for policymakers, school administrators, and teachers on the importance of class size in promoting teachers' interest and effectiveness in delivering the social studies curriculum. Overall, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on the impact of class size on teachers' attitudes and behaviors in the classroom, specifically focusing on social studies instruction in primary schools. By exploring the relationship between class size and teachers' interest in teaching social studies, this research aims to inform educational practices that can enhance teacher motivation and engagement, ultimately benefiting student learning outcomes in the subject.

Thesis Overview

1.1 Background to the Study

Knowledge, skills and values which is seen by the society as a necessary instrument for nation building is impacted upon the pupils by the teachers in the process of education. In educational community, there are a lot of factors that make the environment fit for effective teaching-learning activities in other to achieved the expected goals.

This factors may include school environment, class size, method of teaching, teacher’s effectiveness and others.

Research have confirm that class size reduction does provide the environment in which teachers can teach effectively. The research on student outcome and teachers behaviour conducted by Nina (2007) shows that, in smaller class size teacher interact with individual students more frequency and use a greater variety of instructional strategies. They can create more opportunities for higher-order co-construction of meaning by students. They also may spent out of classroom work time on more creative planning and less on routine making and they may interact more frequently with other teachers and adult in support of classroom teaching.

Nina (2008) noted that students behaviour tends to support teacher’s belief that they can more competently and effectively in smaller classes. In smaller classes students learn more academically and socially, they are more engaged and less disruptive.

Classroom can be set up in a way that hindered creativity or promote a positive learning environment.

The way in which a teacher organize their class or how they control it, will yield positive or negative consequences for their students.

If a teacher is negative because of his impression on the classroom size, there will be a direct negative impact on the pupil within the classroom. Similarly, if a teacher is positive because of his impression on the classroom size, there will be a direct positive impact on the pupil within the classroom.

Classroom congestion is a problem that affects the academic performance of students and effectiveness of the teachers. It is in this vein that Edge (2005) in his study identify the following problems as its associated with classroom congestion.

(1)   The provision of an opportunity for discussion or for any kind of oral inputs to the written work is difficult.

(2)   The amount of classroom involvement can dissuade even the not enthusiastic teachers, it classes are very large. In affirmation, Smith and Glass (2009) literate that small class size leads to higher pupils achievement, more favourable teachers effects e.g moral, attitude toward pupil.

        Class size is very important factor that must be looked into by government, school administrators and other educational authorities, this is because the factor (class-size) affects bot h the inputs system (teachers) and also the output system (academic performance of pupils) hence this study aimed at investigating class size and teachers’ interest in teaching social studies in Essien Udim L. G. A.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

        The National policy on education N.P.E. (2004) has stipulated a minimum number of 30 pupils in a class, but in most schools in the state especially in Essien Udim Local Government Area, the number of the pupils have exceed the average class size to 40 and 50. This is because of the free and compulsory education that is going on in the state.

        Government effort in tackling this problem is minimal, this create a Negative impact both to the pupils and the teacher.

The overabundance of pupil in the classroom of some public primary school in Essien Udim has post a concern in the mind that the pupils attention toward learning and the teachers behaviour in teaching social studies.

This study is therefore designed to check the effect of class size and teachers interest in teaching social studies in primary schools in Essien Udim Local Government Area.