ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE SENATORIAL ZONES OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research studied the spatial patterns of secondary schools in selected parts of Benue state with the aim of identifying the pattern of distribution of secondary schools and its implications in the state. The objectives of the study were to establish spatial patterns and assess spatial relationships. The study adopted field observation and measurement to obtain the needed data. GIS and inferential statistical techniques were employed to map, visualize and analyze the data. In Logo Local Government Area, the Nearest Neighbour Index (NNI = 0.533139) is higher than the Z-score value (-3.893099). The implication is clustering of schools in the area. In Gboko Local Government Area, the Nearest Neighbour Index (NNI = 0.700016) was higher than the Z-score value (-5.165005). This also implies that the schools in the area are clustered. In Obi Local Government area, the Z-score value (1.191313) was higher than the Nearest Neighbour Index (NNI = 1.146777). This implies that there is a dispersion pattern of schools’ distribution in the area. The result showed a randomly distributed pattern of the schools in the area. The distribution turned towards clustering in Logo and Gboko Local Government Areas and towards dispersion in Obi Local Government Area. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the use of GIS for schools mapping and to create a database that can easily be updated at desirable intervals to cover the entire state for effective and efficient decision making.