An evaluation of Architectural features of Learning Institutions in Langas estate, Eldoret town

Abstract

The issue of interrelationship between school buildings and the level of students' scholarly performances has been the topic of studies in the social sciences for a number of years. It is against this thought that the researcher undertook a study to examine architectural features of learning institutions in Langas Estate within Eldoret town. The buildings on the ground were assessed according to the building code. The hypotheses of the study are that slum types of settlement do not follow the building code of standards, Eldoret Municipal council does not play a role in shelter construction control and that the quality of buildings affects the students' performances. The objectives of the study were to; analyze the lighting supply to the buildings in the estate, assess the roofing used in construction of learning facilities, assess the effects of location of open drainage system on learning, evaluate the state of buildings walls of learning facilities in the estate and to establish the relationship of infrastructural systems and academic performance of students in the estate. The study focused on buildings and human beings, it evaluated 23 learning institutions and 15 accommodation facilities. The target population was 2293 respondents but a sample of 173 respondents was used. This population comprised of building owners; occupants of the buildings, physical planners, architects, municipal education officer, building inspectorate, head teachers, teachers and students. The respondents were selected through stratified sampling, purposively and random sampling. Purposive sampling was used because of the small number of the required professionals and also due to the unavailability of the respondents. Three research instruments used in the study were; Questionnaires to gather data from teachers, students, physical planners and architects; observation was used to assess the buildings while interviews were used to gather information from the landlords, students and teachers. The data obtained was analyzed quantitatively with help of statistical package SPSS. The findings of this research will be used in policy making, implementation and planning of buildings meant for school or college going inhabitants. The study fmdings revealed that there exists an interrelationship between learning buildings and the level of students' scholarly performance specifically on learners' concentration. According to the council the buildings are not in conformity with the Building code standards and subsequently UNICEF building standards. The study therefore recommends that the buildings should have adequate natural lighting, the roofing and roof height should be standard, the drainage system should be connected to main sewer or proper' septic tank and open discharge and smell be avoided. It is important for building owners to undertake repairs and renovations on time.