Safety and Security Consideration of School Pupils in the Neighbourhood

Abstract

The neighbourhood concept of Clarence Perry established the relationship between the residential components of a neighbourhood and elementary schools at the centre of the neighbourhood within a walking distance. Although, many land subdivisions in the planned areas of Nigerian cities are based on this concept, with schools at the neighbourhood centre, yet the plans are not often implemented as designed. Instead, indiscriminate location of schools without consideration for through traffic, easy and short accessibility to homes prevails. Consequently, many pupils travel several kilometres to and from schools amidst complex urban transit system. This study examined home-school travel pattern of school pupils within Abeokuta metropolis with particular reference to mode of transit used by pupils in regards to safety and security considerations. A sample of 190 pupils was taken from 19 private and public schools, selected randomly through cluster sampling technique. Data were analysed using percentage and multinomial logistic regression analysis. The study revealed that 35.8% of pupils journey to school by organised school bus service, 25.8% by motorcycle/three wheeler, 6.8% by private car, 18.4% walked to school unaccompanied and 13.2% took public taxi. Safety and security vulnerability of pupils revealed 83.7% and 82.1% respectively. The study recommended review of planning standard on location of schools and as a matter of policy advice, strict enforcement of such standards to reduce vulnerability of pupils.