A Gis Approach in Locational Analysis of Post Primary School in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

The provision of education as a social service around the world is predominantly done by the public sector. The location of education facilities is known to influence their utilization and efficiency, as their proximity influences the decision to seek and receive education. This study therefore, analyzed the location of public secondary schools in Umuahia North education zone. The study also developed a geodatabase for the public secondary schools in the study area so as to enable effective and efficient planning and management of these schools in the study area. Google Earth Image covering the study area was used. Data on the facilities were obtained: Number of Classes, Number of teachers, and number of students, taught subjects were obtained through the administration of questionnaires. Geographic coordinates of schools were obtained using a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). The data analysis was carried out using ArcGIS 10.1. The study observed that 13 public and 36 private secondary schools were located in the study area and these schools were meant to serve all the localities in the study area Other utilities such as libraries,laboratories, electricity, water and classrooms were also lacking or inadequate in these schools. The study recommends the use of GIS in school data handling and should be encouraged as it makes decision making easier and also enhances the proper sitind and distribution of these facilities. The study alsorecommends the creation of a model for the proper distribution of basic school facilities.