ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERN AND ACCESSIBILITY OF STUDENTS TO SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN LOKOJA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assesses the pattern of distribution and accessibility of students to secondary education in Lokoja metropolis. Both primary and secondary data were utilized for the research. The coordinates of locations of public and private schools were obtained using a hand held Geographical Position System (GPS). The average distance of the nearest public school to each identified important places in Lokoja was measured using the ‘Ruler’ menu of ArcGIS 10.3.1 software. Two sets of questionnaire were structured to elicit information from sampled population. The first was directed at parents with students in secondary schools, while the second focuses on students’ journey to schools. A total of three hundred questionnaires were administered to sampled secondary schools in the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the research. The findings reveal that 66.7% and 8% of public secondary schools are located along the major roads in the high and low density areas of Lokoja respectively. The pattern of distribution of secondary schools is cluster rather than random. Approximately 47.2% of students in public secondary schools travel more than 4kms to schools in Lokoja. 51.8% of parents qualify education rather than distance was the determinant factor in placing their wards in secondary schools in Lokoja. The study concludes that public secondary school should be provided in some localities that do not have so as to reduce long distance trip to educational facilities. Also Quality delivery of secondary education must be properly monitored by the government at affordable price.

Keywords

• Schools
• Transport
• Location
• Secondary and Planning