Distribution and Accessibility of Road Networks to Educational Facilities in Delta State: Transport Geographical Appraisal

Abstract

This study examined the geospatial distribution and accessibility of road networks to the educational facilities in Delta State: A transport geographical appraisal. The administrative map of Delta State was acquired and used to prepare the geographical information of the entire road networks of the study area. The choice of nodes was based on population size. Based on the adopted operational definition of major centres, 50 major centres were identified. The Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, as well as the regression techniques, were used in the analysis. A high correlation coefficient value (r = 0.60) was obtained between post-secondary institutions (x1) and primary institutions (x3). For access to have meant it should be people-oriented. The correlation between population and functional index of educational facility occurrence gives (r = 0.13). This means that large population centres tend to have fewer numbers and lower order types of educational facilities in the study area. The coefficient of determination of the relationship is given as 0.017 which indicates that population has no effect on the distribution of educational facilities in Delta State. This implies that population alone does not attract the establishment of educational facilities while small population centres tend to be favoured in the study area. Based on the findings recommendation was proffered.