PROVISION OF HEALTH FACILITIES FOR PROMOTING HEALTHY CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the provision of health facilities for promoting a healthy child friendly school environment in primary schools in Delta State. Four research questions guided the study. The descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The population comprised all the 1,132 primary school head teachers in the public primary schools in Delta State. Sample of the study consisted 566 public primary school head teachers drawn from the entire head teachers at 50% using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire personally developed by the researchers, titled: “Healthy Child Friendly School Environment Questionnaire (HCFSEQ)†containing 31 items. The research instrument was validated by three experts in Educational Management and Policy Department and the reliability of the instrument was ascertained through a pilot-test by sampling 20 head teachers from 20 public primary schools in Anambra State. Data collected were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings of this study revealed among others that there were no adequate provisions for school health facilities as regards to the provisions of school clinics, sanitary, sports and recreational health facilities for promoting a healthy child friendly school environment in primary schools in Delta State. From the findings of the study, recommendations were also proffered and among them include that: Delta State Government in collaboration with the Delta State Universal Basic Education (DSUBE) should make adequate provision for health facilities like school clinics, sanitary, sports and recreational health facilities for promoting a healthy child friendly school environment in primary schools in Delta State.