Journal
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research
MJAMR
Relationship between School Size and Student Academic Performance of Secondary Schools in Makindye Division
Kamugisha Stanley
| Journal | Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research (MJAMR) |
| Volume / Issue | Vol. 5, No. 3 |
| Published | 31 March 2026 |
| ISSN | 3006-4384 |
Abstract
The study investigated the relationship between school size and student academic performance in secondary schools in Makindye Division, Kampala, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design grounded in a mixed-methods framework was adopted, with data collected from a total sample of 172 respondents comprising 130 students, 32 teachers, and 10 school administrators drawn from eight purposively selected secondary schools. Structured questionnaires, semistructured interview guides, and document analysis were used as instruments for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between school size and student academic performance (r = -0.61, p < 0.05), indicating that as enrolment size increased beyond manageable thresholds, student academic outcomes tended to decline. Large schools were associated with high student-to-teacher ratios, inadequate learning resources, overcrowded classrooms, reduced teacher-student interaction, and diminished institutional attention to individual learners. The study concluded that school size was a meaningful structural determinant of academic outcomes in secondary schools and recommended that education authorities in Makindye Division and Uganda more broadly establish and enforce optimal school enrolment ceilings to protect the quality of teaching and learning.
Keywords
School size
enrolment size
academic performance
secondary schools
Makindye Division
Uganda
overcrowding
student-teacher ratio
learning environment
class size.
Cite This Article
Kamugisha Stanley (2026). Relationship between School Size and Student Academic Performance of Secondary Schools in Makindye Division. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 5(3). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=335
More in This Issue
View full issue →
1
Adoption of Digital Tax Systems: Evidence from SMEs’ Awareness and Use of EFRIS in Kampala, Uganda
Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS); Digital Tax Systems; SME Performance; Tax Compliance; Technology Adoption; Uganda
2
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL-SCALE BUSINESSES IN KAKOBA DIVISION, MBARARA CITY
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL-SCALE BUSINESSES IN KAKOBA DIVISION
MBARARA CITY
3
DIGITAL BANKING ADOPTION AND LOAN PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN MUKONO DISTRICT
Digital Banking Adoption and Loan Performance in Selected Microfinance Institutions in Mukono District
4
Effect of Business Environment Regulations on Enterprise Competitiveness: A Case Study of Mbarara Industrial Park
Business environment regulations
enterprise competitiveness
industrial park
Mbarara
5
Effect Of Employee Involvement (El) On Organizational Performance. A Case Study Of Mukwano Industries
Employee involvement
organizational performance
participative decision making
employee empowerment