Primary School Enrollment Trend, Class-Ratio and Head Teachers Overcrowded Classrooms Management Strategies in Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nigeria

Primary school Enrolment Trend, Class-Ratio and Head Teachers overcrowded classrooms management strategies in Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nigeria was investigated. The purpose of the study is to examine the current enrolment trend in public primary schools in northern senatorial District of Ondo State. Also, is to ascertain the class-ratio of primary school pupils in 2013-2014 academic session and to find out the management strategies adopted by the head teachers in solving overcrowded classrooms problems. Increase in pupils enrolment in some of the public primary schools in the state is a major concern to all stakeholders to education and it needs urgent attention. It is doubtful if the facilities available have been matched with the pupils enrolment especially in areas of classrooms availability. This study was considered using descriptive survey research design. A proportionate random sampling method was used to select 50 primary schools in the Senatorial District with total enrolment of 18, 320 pupils and head teacher of each school in the district for the finding. An instrument titled Enrolment, Class-Ratio and Management Strategies Questionnaire (ECRMS) designed by the researcher was used. Frequency counts and simple percentage were used to answer the research questions. Among several findings, it was revealed that actual number of classrooms available were not sufficient in the district and that 127 additional classrooms were urgently needed. It was also revealed that 41 primary schools out of the 50 sampled schools operate above normal class-ratio of 25/30 pupils recommended by UNESCO. It was indicated that 90% of the head teachers used negotiation strategy and 60% of them used reduction strategy in solving overcrowded classrooms problems. Based on the findings recommendations are made which include; Government should increase education budgetary allocation from 85% in 2014 to 20% in 2015. Apart from government, other stake holder to education should be encouraged to fund education. Seminars and lectures on family planning and birth control should be legalized by government.