Mitigating the Effects of Large Class Sizes for Improved Teaching and Learning in Ghanaian Senior High Schools

Large class sizes pose significant challenges to the quality of teaching and learning, although previous studies have examined the effects of large class sizes on teaching and learning outcomes, relatively few studies have been given to the pedagogical strategies that can mitigate these challenges and enhance educational quality. This study therefore investigated the effects of large class sizes on the quality of teaching and learning and explored pedagogical strategies that can be employed to improve instructional effectiveness in such contexts. Two research questions were formulated to guide the study:(1) What are the challenges faced by teachers in handling large class sizes and their effects? (2) What pedagogies could be employed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in large classes? A qualitative research method was employed, and a purposive sampling approach was used to arrive at 38 respondents. Primary data were gathered through focus group discussions and personal interviews. The findings highlighted significant issues faced by teachers, such as difficulties in providing individualised attention, proper assessments, several assignments, timely feedback, and good classroom control and management. These challenges hinder academic progress and contribute to poor student performance. To address these issues and enhance the quality of teaching and learning, the findings further revealed several strategies, including peer teaching and marking, group studies, collaborative teaching, field trips, and the use of projectors. The study also emphasises the importance of professional development training programs for in-service teachers to improve their teaching methodologies and confidence in managing large classes. The study concludes that these methods reduce teacher workload and improve the overall learning experience. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service should encourage teachers to employ these teaching strategies in large classes to improve the quality of teaching and learning.