SCHOOL MAPPING

•School Mapping is a dynamic process of planning the distribution, size

and spacing of schools and physical facilities requirements for optimum

utilization and

benefit.

•It is a process of identifying current inadequacies in distribution and of providing

appropriate types and patterns of school plant and facilities.

Concept of school mapping

•The process of location planning in education is called school mapping. It is a dynamic

process of planning for future investment in education

The concept of school mapping has been variously defined by different authors

•Yusuf and Akinniranye (2011), for instance, define school mapping as the process of

estimating and diagnosing school requirement and identifying the ideal communities and

sites where new schools are to be located and where additional educational resources are

to be provided.

•Caillods (1993) on the other hand, considers school mapping as a set of techniques and

procedures used to identify future needs in education at the local level and to plan for

measures to be taken to meet them.

•Gbadamosi (2005) sees it as a dynamic process of identifying logically and systematically,

the communities and sites where educational facilities to be erected under a new

educational policy/plan are to be located.

Objectives of school mapping

•To promote accessibility and equality of educational opportunities for all.

•To make sure that there is equity in the distribution of educational facilities to

communities where they are needed and utilized to the highest advantage.

To ensure safety and convenience to and from school.

•To ensure future possibility of expansion in terms of land size and increase in school

enrolment.

•To ensure that there is cost effectiveness and efficiency by improving the ratio between

cost and performance.

•To avoid over-localization or over-concentration of schools in certain areas while other

areas are lacking.

Factors to be considered in school mapping

In any school mapping exercise, the following factors should be taken into consideration.

The reasons for undertaking the mapping exercise: Every school mapping exercise must

have a purpose. The purpose is important because it serves as a guide in the preparation of

the school map. The purpose varies and may be for the reorganization or redistribution of

school facilities or to assess the use efficiency of school facilities.

2. The level of education: School mapping can be carried out to serve any level of

education, which could be primary, secondary or tertiary level. Every level has its peculiar

needs and features, which should be taken into consideration.

3. Demographic factor: Obtaining accurate and reliable data is a major starting point in

school mapping. However there is always the challenge of availability of reliable and

accurate data. Information on the growing rate and school age population, gender,
vulnerable groups and so on, are essential to be obtained from available population census.

4. Geographical factor: Such geographical factors as landscape, relief, topography and

drainage, are important in choosing a school site. Schools should not be sited in areas that

are prone to flooding and erosion. Availability of means of transportation, communication

facilities, water, light, and sewage should also play a very important part in the decision to

site a school.

5. Pedagogical factors: Pedagogical parameters such as scope of course offerings, standard

class size, school time table, teachers' areas of specialization and availability of specialist

teachers are useful in evaluating the use-efficiency of facilities and areas of needs.

6. Social factor: School mapping can be useful in minimizing social resistance to schooling.

An area that has apathy towards school should be considered in school mapping exercises.

7. Manpower and economic activity: The economic activities of a region and the

possibilities of employment could influence the choice of subjects offered in their

educational systems, such as, in technical, vocational or general education.

Methodology of school mapping

1. Specification of norms

Major starting point in school mapping is the specification of norms, standards and

catchment areas. In this case, what are the specified norms for opening a new school? These

norms define clearly the potential number of children to be enrolled in a given geographical

area.
2. Diagnosis of educational development

•he aim of diagnosis is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the educational system

and to identify the distribution of educational facilities in selected areas. In diagnosing the

educational situation, data are collected on total population by sex and age group.

3. Projection of future school enrolment

•Assessing future pupil enrolment is another step in school mapping. This projection is

always made on the basis of catchment and the total predicted school age population.

Projection of enrollment is significant for a number of reasons:

•To decide on the opening of new schools or try alternatives to formal education.

•When there is need to upgrade existing schools and to know the number to be upgraded.

•To estimate the required number of teachers.

4. Decision on school location

•Taking a decision to locate a school is based on the norms specified by the authority. The

norms here depend on the threshold population and the catchment area. school mapping

does not decide on the site to construct schools, it only indicates the most appropriate

habitations where schools are to be located. The catchment area is the area served by the

school.

5. Assessment of the required facilities: An assessment of the required school facilities is

also very important in school mapping exercise. In this wise, facilities in an intended new

school or existing schools are assessed. An assessment incorporates not only infrastructural

facilities but also learning materials.

6. Estimations of financial resource requirement

This cost estimate is based on required facilities which can thenbe used for proposed
funding.

7. Prioritization of required facilities

The final stage is prioritization based on available financial resources, which is done in

relation to budget allocation.

ROLYN V. MANANSALA

Discussant