Assessment of Schools Spatial Distribution and Identifying Suitable Areas by Using GIS Technology: In Case of Debre Markos Town North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Schools need be located on safe places; these safe locations should also be optimal and economical to the public in terms of accountability. Location of these schools has always been done without use of any scientific methods and has led to sprouting of schools located in unsuitable locations. To enhance an academic excellence and identify better school site this study applied GIS technology in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia. In Debre Markos many schools characterized concentrate in centres, vulnerable for natural risk like flooding, near to noise areas, markets and rivers. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution pattern, conformity of both national and international standards and indicate the future suitable areas of new school sites based on national and international standards of public primary and secondary schools in Debre Markos Town. Debre Markos Town lcated in the North-Western Part of Ethiopia. In Debre Markos Town populated more than 95,000 residents and 18 public primary and secondary schools. This study used both primary and secondary GIS data including filed survey, quick bird images, population and high-resolution satellite images from google earth. These data took form EMA (Ethiopian Mapping Agency, Debre Markos Town Municipality. Arcgis 10.4.1, DNGarmin and Google Earth used as a software packages for different geo-processing application and data calibration. The method totally used national and international standards to assess distribution, conformity and identify the suitable new school sites. The result revealed that 89% schools are located less than two kilometres far away than other schools and 11% are schools far away more than two kilometres than other schools. Around 11 or 61% schools located with 450 meters distance of road facilities the remaining 7 s or 39% schools are located far more than 450 meters from road facilities. Endemata Primary School is the most unsuitable schools compare with to other schools. It was near to market centre, Wuseta River and noise area.  For the future, not only schools but also other public facilities should apply national and international standard before the construction of schools and other public facilities. Foo the establishment and implementation of new school sites GIS ha a vital role. Therefore, the government and urban planners should apply GIS technology to identify the suitable school site.