Abstract
The general purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of students’ size on the academic performance in colleges of education in Nigeria. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to find out the extent at which large students’ size affects their academic achievement, to examine whether staff-students’ ratio enhances academic achievement of the students and to determine the extent to which government policy of ‘Education for All’ influences the students’ size in colleges of education. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Respondents of the study were made up of 200 students. The research instrument used in data collection was a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that large class size does not encourage students’ participation; it encourages development of social vices among students. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that the college should appoint more lecturers in the general courses to minimize the use of large classes, ensure resources are channeled to areas that are more important, such as provision of lecture halls, seating places, teaching and learning equipment and other infrastructural facilities for learning to take place. The government should resource the existing colleges to ensure quality delivery.
Keywords:Students’ size, academic performance, lecturers, students