INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL BUILDING COLLAPSE ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Buildings are purposefully constructed and planned constructions that provide the necessary spaces and facilities for their intended use. They provide refuge for humans, their belongings, and their endeavours. In addition, buildings are anticipated to undergo thorough planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance in order to provide the desired level of satisfaction to occupants, improve the environment, and contribute to national development (Babalola,  2018). According to Oni (2020), good buildings are defined by their ability to provide security, safety, convenience, social satisfaction, psychological pleasure, and economic satisfaction to the occupants. Omole (2021) refers building condition to the whole state of a dwelling unit, including its physical and environmental aspects, as well as its level of satisfaction, which can be measured against certain livability criteria at a specific point in time. 

Although, buildings are intended to fulfil current requirements and also contribute to future needs, thus reflecting the concept of building sustainability. However, the frequent occurrence of construction failures and collapses has hindered the real estate development sector from making a significant contribution to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product. According to Adesanya and Olanrewaju (2018), the potential of the building sector has not yet produced the expected outcomes. Occasionally, buildings that are intended to fulfil people's everyday requirements have become a cause for significant worry due to their persistent failures and collapses.

Bizarrely, the collapse of buildings has detrimental effects on Nigeria's economy and the progress of sustainable development. Extensive research has observed that the frequent occurrence of building collapse is not only limited to metropolitan areas but also affects many cultural, ethnic, and geographical regions of the country (Ayedun, Durodola, & Akinjare, 2021). According to Adenuga (2012), the lifespan of a structure is influenced not only by inadequate design, but also by inadequate construction and management. Windapo and Rotimi (2022) confirmed that certain stakeholders in the construction industry participate in unsustainable practices by neglecting to consider the future in their actions. As a result, they significantly contribute to the overall underperformance of buildings, their failures, and the frequent collapse of buildings in Nigeria. It is important to highlight that the availability of safe, secure, and cheap housing plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development in any country. Despite the efforts of governments at both the municipal and federal levels to provide sufficient housing and school buildings for everybody, the quality of buildings deteriorates with time due to factors such as design, materials, construction, and maintenance. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the impact of school building collapse on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau state.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In recent times, instances of school building collapses are devastating occurrences that not only interrupt the educational process but also provide substantial hazards to the physical and mental well-being of both pupils and educators. Jos, the principal metropolis of Plateau State in Nigeria, has encountered numerous occurrences of school building collapses in recent years. However, the fast population increase and urbanisation contributes to the degradation of school infrastructure, particularly in public schools that cater to economically disadvantaged communities. School building collapses have far-reaching ramifications that go beyond physical harm and deaths. They cause disruptions to the educational process, resulting in missed chances for kids to learn and grow (Oyebode et al., 2021).

Studies suggest that the school environment has a significant impact on students' academic achievement, social interactions, and emotional welfare. On the other hand, the recent collapse of a school building in Jos on Friday, July 2024 that left 22 dead not only endangers these elements but also instills dread and psychological distress among children, parents, and the wider community. According to UNESCO, (2020), these events emphasize the susceptibility of educational institutions to structural breakdowns and emphasize the immediate requirement for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure investment in Nigeria's education sector.

Furthermore, evidence indicates that children who are exposed to stressful events, such as natural disasters or accidents, may exhibit symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to investigate the impact of school building collapse on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau state.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of school building collapse on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau state. Specifically, the study will;

Assess the extent school building collapse inflict physical injuries on secondary schools in Jos.

Assess the extent school building collapse affected students' class attendance in Jos.

Assess the psychological effects of school building collapse on the students  in Jos.

Assess the extent school building collapse affects students academic performance in Jos.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent do school building collapses inflict physical injuries on secondary school students in Jos?

Does school building collapse affect students' class attendance in Jos?

What are the psychological effects of school building collapses on students in Jos?

How does school building collapse affect students' academic performance in Jos?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: School building collapse has no significant impact on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau State.

Ha: School building collapse has no significant impact on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will assist government and policymakers in designing policies and regulations to improve school infrastructure and ensure student safety, thereby preventing future incidents. Moreover, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the impact of school building collapse on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau state.

1.6 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of school building collapse on secondary school students in Jos, Plateau state. Empirically, this study will assess the extent school building collapse inflict physical injuries on secondary schools,  the extent school building collapse affected students' class attendance, the psychological effects of school building collapse on the students and the extent school building collapse affects students academic performance.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Jos, Plateau state.

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Building: building is a structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, school, or factory, that is constructed to provide shelter, support activities, or serve a specific purpose.

Collapse: the sudden failure of a structure, often resulting in it falling down or caving in.

Disaster: is a sudden, catastrophic event that causes significant disruption, damage, or destruction, often resulting in loss of life, property, and resources.

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