School Mapping, Spatial Distribution and Enrolment Patterns in Public Junior Secondary Schools in Kwara State, Nigeria
Abstract
Equitable access to junior secondary education depends not only on enrolment expansion but also on the spatial distribution of schools and the adequacy of physical infrastructure. In Kwara State, Nigeria, concerns persist regarding uneven school location, disparities in facilities, and fluctuating enrolment patterns. Despite the relevance of school mapping as a planning tool, limited empirical studies have integrated geospatial distribution, infrastructural assessment, and longitudinal enrolment data within a single analytical framework. This study examined school mapping, spatial distribution, physical resource allocation, and enrolment patterns in public junior secondary schools in Kwara State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, complemented with geospatial and descriptive statistical analyses. The population comprised 230 public junior secondary schools and 35,929 JSS 3 students. Spatial coordinates were collected using GPS and analysed with ArcGIS, including Average Nearest Neighbour Analysis to determine distribution patterns. Facility data were obtained through structured checklists, while enrolment data covering the 2013/2014–2019/2020 academic sessions were sourced from official records. The findings revealed clustered school distribution in major urban LGAs and more dispersed patterns in rural areas. Urban centres recorded higher enrolment but also showed signs of infrastructural strain, including classrooms requiring repairs and insufficient seating. Enrolment increased steadily until 2017/2018 before declining toward 2019/2020. The study concludes that spatial concentration does not necessarily ensure infrastructural adequacy and that integrated geospatial planning is essential for equitable and efficient resource allocation. By combining spatial, infrastructural, and longitudinal enrolment data, the research contributes context-specific evidence to strengthen educational planning in Kwara State.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Afeez Adeshina Shittu, Nuvie Nunu Brown-Ovie Aruekure, Rashidat Bola Bakare, Muftaudeen Ameen, Ismaila Kolawole Ishola
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