Relationship between student-teacher ratio and achievement in certificate of secondary education examination in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

The study sought to find out the relationship between Student-Teacher Ratio (STR) and achievement in the Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (CSEE) in Bagamoyo district, Coast region. Specifically, the study was guided by three objectives: to investigated the extent to which STR affects classroom management; to assess the effect of classroom management on students’ academic achievement and determined the suitable ways of managing large classes in secondary schools. The study employed a quantitative approach in a descriptive design. The study used 300 respondents of which 250 were students and 50 were teachers. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample size. The data were collected through questionnaires, documentary reviews and observation. The data were analyzed by using frequencies and percentages with figures and tables. The study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between STR and achievement of students in the CSEE. The number of students in the classroom determines the way a classroom is managed and management of the classroom has great effect on achievement of students. The study concluded that STR is important in determining management of the classroom and effective classroom management is crucial in establishing better learning environment. Among other things; improving the working conditions of teachers is a suitable way that can be employed to minimize the problem of scarcity of teachers in secondary schools. he study therefore recommends that reasonable STR should be maintained in secondary schools since this is among the factor that can determine the quality of students’ academic achievement and teachers need to be equipped with management skills for creating conducive learning environment in the class. In addition; more schools with good number of classroom should be established together with deployment and employment of qualified teachers.