An Assessment of the Spatial Distribution and Facilities of Public Primary Schools in Shomolu Lga, Lagos State

Abstract

The research analyzed the spatial distribution of public primary schools and a total of 53 primary schools were identified with the population of pupils at 13,753 across the study area. All the schools in the study area were purposively sampled and used in the study. Most of the attribute data were obtained at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Maryland, Ikeja and also Local Government Education Authority, Gbagada phase II, Somolu. The study also revealed inequality firstly in the distribution of schools in the study area with wards like (Bariga ward D, Somolu ward H etc.) having none, secondly , the Nearest Neighbour Index and Point Density Analysis revealed the cluster pattern of the distribution of schools resulting to inequality in the distribution of schools in the study area. An administrative map of the study area obtained from the Local Government Area was geo-referenced and digitized in ArcGIS 10.3.1 for the base map through digitizing process. An overlay analysis was performed and all the coordinates of the UBE primary schools were displayed on the composite map. A GIS database was created where the spatial and attribute data were encoded and query analysis was carried out. The study recommends among others, provision of functional facilities (especially the recreational facilities) by the Lagos State Ministry of Education and the Local Government Area of study.