Cooperative Learning Strategy (CLS) aims to enable learners to work together towards a common goal. Effective cooperative learning promotes positive interdependence, individual accountability, face to face interaction and social skills development of the learners. Learners work together in small cluster or groups to achieve a common goal. Effective cooperative learning strategy relies on group management techniques, social skills training and learner-centred teaching methods. This study was guided by four research questions and six null hypotheses. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. The population of the study was 24,547 primary three pupils. The sample for the study was 176 pupils. A rating scale developed by the researchers on cognitive and social skills development was used as instrument for data collection. The instruments were validated by two experts in childhood education and one expert in measurement and evaluation.

Cooperative Learning, Cognitive Skills, Social Skills, Gender.