ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AS A CORRELATE OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT; THE CASE STUDY OF PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IKPOBA-OKHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined environmental factors as correlate of children’s health and educational development in Ikpoba Okha local government area, Benin City Edo State. The aim was to find out environmental factors affecting children’s health and educational development. To achieve this aims, four research questions were raised. Descriptive research survey was adopted for this study . The population consists of all pre-primary schools in ikpoba okha local government area a sample size of 80 was used. The Instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that predominant environmental factors influencing children's health and educational development are socio-economic environment, cultural and inclusive environment, safe physical environments, positive learning environment, and access to nutritious foods, socio-economic status of a family influence children’s health and educational, hygiene habits and practices within the home environment moderately impact the health of pre-primary school children, quality and availability of learning resources, such as educational materials and play equipment, moderately influences the educational development of pre-primary school children. It was therefore recommended amongst others that allocation of resources should be provided to improve the quality of children health and educational development and also establish mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of environmental interventions and their impact on children's health and educational outcomes.