Effect of Class Size on the Academic Performance of Students in Mathematics in Public Day Schools in Musanze District

Abstract

This paper explored the effect of class size effects and students’ academic performance in Mathematics subject in public day Schools in Rwanda” A case of Musanze district’’. Specifically, the study attempted to determine the effect of class attendance on academic performance of mathematics subject in public day schools in Rwanda, to analyze the effect of classroom seating arrangement on academic performance of mathematics subject in public day schools in Rwanda and to establish the effect of classroom learning environment on academic performance of mathematics subject in public day schools in Rwanda. This study adopted a descriptive research design using a mixed methods research design; a combination of both quantitative and qualitative forms of research. The target population for this study was the educational practitioners in the district who includes Students, teachers, head teachers and Sector Education officer in the district. Thus the total population was 1600 participants. Sample random technique was used to sample 320 respondents taken as a sample size. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Analysis of data was aided by statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21 and output exported to micro soft word in form of pie charts and tables for the purpose of reporting. From the findings, the study revealed the Pearson correlation analysis showed that class attendance (r=0.814, p=0.000) is positively and significantly related to students’ academic performance. The correlation was deemed to be statistically significant since the p-value was less than 5%. Similarly, the Pearson correlation for classroom seating arrangement (r=0.715, p=0.000) is also positively and significantly related to the supply chain performance. The correlation was also statistically significant since the p-value was less than 5%. Lastly, the Pearson correlation for classroom learning environment (r=0.794, p=0.000) is positively and significantly related to the students’ academic performance. The correlation was also statistically significant since the p-value was less than 5%. Finally, the study recommended that to ensure a more meaningful academic performance among the students, small class sizes are needed to improve the interaction between teachers and students. It is therefore pertinent that the management of the schools studied pay attention to the class sizes as pertained in their schools to ensure good academic performance. Keywords: Class size, community, class attendance, classroom seating, academic performance