Spatial Analysis of Distribution of Secondary Schools in Giwa Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study used Buffer and overlay analyses to investigate the spatial pattern of the distribution of government secondary schools in Giwa zone of Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria. The analyses were done in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Findings revealed that about 80% of the secondary schools are concentrated in the northeastern part of the area covering the headquarters of Giwa, Kudan and Sabon-Gari local government areas. While the central area around Kakangi and the southwestern part around Kidandan and Kadage are grossly underserved with very few schools and even no schools in places like Kadage and Idasu. Results of the buffer analysis revealed that Giwa local government headquarters and the immediate neighbourhoods covering Shika, Yakawada are the most accessible areas to secondary schools in the zone. However, Kakangi and Kadage are the areas with the lowest degree of accessibility to schools in the zone. There is the need to provide more secondary schools in Kidandan, Kakangi and Kadage corresponding to the population sizes in the wards and if possible redistribute the secondary schools that are more concentrated in the headquarters, and also construct more access roads to facilitate going to the schools in the area.