Average Distance Travelled To School by Primary and Secondary School Students in Nigeria and Its Effect on Attendance

Abstract

This study investigated average distance travelled to school by students in primary and secondary schools in Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States and effect on attendance. These are among the top ten densely populated and educationally advantaged States in Nigeria. Research evidences report high dropout rates in them. Samples of 36 primary, 21 secondary; 41 primary, 24 secondary; and 28 primary, 16 secondary schools from Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi respectively, were selected through simple random sampling. Data gathered through a questionnaire were analyzed to answer four research questions raised. Results revealed that students in 38.87, 36.59, and 28.57 percent of primary schools, and 23.81, 29.17, and 18.75 percent of secondary schools in Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States respectively, travelled less than one kilometer to school. Others travelled up to five kilometers. Results on effect of distance travelled on attendance revealed thatfor primary and secondary schools, Anambra State recorded 77.78 and 71.43 percent, Enugu State 85.37 and 70.83 percent, and Ebonyi State 96.43 and 93.75 percent respectively. It was concluded that majority of these children travelled more than the stipulated one kilometer maximum to school, indicating that many schools were located far away from children�s homes, and this affected attendance adversely.