Analysis Of Spatial Distribution And Accessibility Of Primary And Secondary Schools In Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

The fundamental goal of accessible educational service provision is to improve social welfare. However, presently it is unclear that how well the facilities being distributed and accessed by residents and major factors contributing to the variation of its distribution in Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia. This research examines the level of spatial distribution and the extent to which primary and secondary schools are accessible by residents of the town. Locations of schools are spatially mapped; spatial disparities, spatial concentration using location quotient, and spatial distribution patterns using Nearest Neighbor Analysis (NNA), were analyzed at kebele level and the town as the whole. Level of accessibility was analyzed through service area computed using road network of the town. The ???ndings demonstrate that although the number of primary schools in the town is acceptable as compared with the standard set by ministry of urban development and construction, the distribution is found uneven and exhibits in clustered pattern. Moreover, 54 % of the population is identified as to travel more distances to access primary schools. On the other hand, despite inadequate quantity, distribution of the secondary school exhibits dispersed pattern. However, 38.6%of the residents are expected to travel more distance than the standard distance to access the secondary schools. This limitation in spatial distribution and accessibility of the facilities in Bishoftu town is mainly due to combined result of variation in population distribution, socioeconomic, absence of regular monitoring and evaluation, and geographic variable. The study would support sustainable spatial policy and direction of spatial development with respect to sustainable urban environment.