CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study:
Classroom quality is a critical factor that significantly influences students' academic performance. This encompasses various elements such as classroom size, space, seating arrangement, lighting, ventilation, and overall management. The learning environment created by these factors can impact students' behavioral, social, and academic skills.
According to Claire, Sara, Kelvin, and Timothy (2009), classroom quality involves the infrastructural aspects of schooling, including materials, space, and the overall environment. White (2007) emphasizes that a quality classroom provides effective instruction, facilitating a smooth teaching-learning process and contributing to improved academic performance.
Effective classroom management is vital for creating a conducive learning atmosphere. Duke (2007) emphasizes that the classroom is the primary space for interaction between students and teachers. Positive classroom management not only enhances teaching quality but also influences students' learning attitudes, fostering a supportive and friendly environment.
In the context of academic performance, it refers to observable and measurable behavior in a learning situation. Academic performance involves a student's ability to study, retain information, and communicate knowledge effectively. Business Studies, as a subject, occupies a unique position in the Junior Secondary School curriculum, aiming to develop knowledge, skills, and values necessary for students' participation in business activities.
Classroom qualities that can influence academic performance include classroom size, space, seating arrangement, lighting, and ventilation. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in shaping the learning environment.
Classroom size is significant, as a size that is too large or too small can negatively impact concentration and academic performance. Classroom space, referring to the arrangement and meters between students, also contributes to the learning experience. Suitable temperature and lighting are essential for creating a comfortable environment conducive to learning.
Seating arrangement is another influential factor, under the teacher's control, impacting desirable behavior and academic achievement. Classroom lighting has been identified as a crucial element influencing students' motivation to learn. Ventilation, ensuring the supply of fresh air, is vital for optimal indoor environmental quality.
The rapid increase in the student population due to free and compulsory education in Akwa Ibom State has led to challenges such as inadequate classrooms, large class sizes, and poor infrastructure. These issues pose obstacles to effective teaching and learning.
Statement of the Problem:
Despite the perception that teachers play a significant role in influencing student learning, persistent poor academic performance in Business Studies suggests underlying issues. The inadequacy of facilities, instructional materials, and suitable learning environments may hinder students' knowledge acquisition, particularly in taking on entrepreneurial roles.
Problems such as large classroom sizes, limited classroom space, and inadequate building conditions may mediate various variables linked to students' learning outcomes. Neglect of the educational environment, including dilapidated classrooms, insufficient instructional facilities, and unqualified teachers, further compounds the challenges.
Traditional seating arrangements may not be suitable for all students and lessons, potentially disadvantaging slow learners. Additionally, issues such as poor indoor air quality, lack of physical comfort, and overcrowded classrooms contribute to an unsupportive learning environment.
The researcher aims to investigate the extent to which classroom quality influences the academic performance of students in Business Studies in the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. This study will shed light on the specific challenges within the classroom environment and their impact on students' learning outcomes.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which classroom qualities influence students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. Specifically, the study seeks to:
- determine the extent to which classroom size influence students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
- determine the extent to which classroom space influence students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
- determine the extent to which classroom seating arrangement influence the performance of students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
- determine the extent to which classroom lighting influence the performance of students’ academic performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
- determine the extent to which classroom ventilation influence the performance of students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study will be of benefits to Business Studies Students, Business Studies Teachers, Business Studies Curriculum Planners, Ministry of Education, School Management Board and Future Researchers.
First of all, Business Studies students will benefit from the findings of this study, as it will enable them have broader knowledge of the various components of classroom qualities such as classroom size, classroom space, classroom seating arrangement, classroom ventilation and classroom lighting that would influence their Academic Performance in Business Studies and other related subjects. Also, it is hoped that this study will provide information for students to reflect upon various classroom qualities that would help them in achieving their academic goals. In addition, the findings of this study will be of relevance to students by profaning solution which will efficiently and effectively address the poor Academic Performance of students in Business Studies subjects as a result of poor nature of our secondary schools in Nigeria today.
Business Studies Teachers will benefit from the findings of this study, as the result the study would help teachers in accessing the effects of classroom qualities or characteristics on student’s academic performance in Business Studies subjects. It would also create awareness among teachers on the need to always establish a conducive learning environment for improving Academic Performance among students in Business Studies. Again, findings of this study are of relevant to teachers who are the principal agents of curriculum implementation because it will provide recommendations that would help them to make appropriate utilization of classroom qualities that will create conducive atmosphere and enhance effective teaching /learning.
Also Business Studies Curriculum Planners would benefits from this study by using the results to guide them in developing policy on the number of students in a class. This will encourage teachers to access and help students to improve on their Academic Performance in Business Studies. It is also hope that the findings of this study will bring to the fore on the need to re-assess the Business Studies curriculum and other pre-vocational subjects taught in junior secondary schools in Nigeria taking into consideration classroom qualities as influencing factors to students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies. Also, the findings of the study will also assist curriculum planners to develop strategies that would reduce negative effects of poor classroom qualities on Academic Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools.
The findings of this study will be of great importance in providing relevant information that can be used by Government at whatever level (Ministry of Education) who is seen as the principal actor in terms of educational development in the society to provide adequate facilities and maintenance strategies in secondary schools. The findings of this study will equally be useful to the Government and Ministry of Education in understanding the classroom qualities of schools that contribute to differences in Academic Performance and develops policies that will increase continuous academic performance of students in Business Studies. Also, the result of this finding will serve as a guide when allocating funds by Ministry of Education for building quality classrooms and purchasing of basic instructional facilities that will be used by teachers for teaching of Business Studies. It will also serve as a guide when providing funds for retraining Business Studies teachers on instructional methods that would enhance students’ Academic Performance in Business Studies and other related subjects.
School Management Board will find the research findings useful in helping to understand the inherent classroom qualities that contribute to Academic Performance in schools and adapt methods that will address and sustain them. The findings would help school heads (school management) on how to maintain facilities of learning environment appropriately in order to create enabling and friendly environment for the purpose of enhancing learning process and realization of educational objectives.
The findings of the study would serve as a source of reference for future researchers who may want to conduct the same or similar study in other subjects or part of Akwa Ibom State. Also, the findings of this study will not only alert but serve as a source of data to the volume of literature available in schools and also as a reference for future research for improving Classroom Qualities of Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study will provide answers to the following research questions.
- What is the extent to which classroom size influence Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District?
- What is the extent to which classroom space influence Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District?
- What is the extent to which classroom seating arrangement influence Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District?
- What is the extent to which classroom lighting influence Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District?
- What is the extent to which classroom ventilation influence Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and will be tested at 0.05 levels of significances
Ho1 There is no significant influence of classroom size on Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
Ho2 There is no significant influence of classroom lighting on Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
Ho3 There is no significant influence of classroom ventilation on Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study will be delimited to Classroom Qualities and Academic Performance of students in Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. The classroom qualities to be covered in this study are: classroom size, classroom space, classroom seating arrangement, classroom lighting and classroom ventilation. This study will also delimit to JSS II Business Studies Students in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. The opinions of the JSS II Business Studies students will determine the specific purposes of the study.
