KNOWLEDGE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to ascertain the Knowledge of the Importance of School Health Services to the Educational Development of Pupils. To guide this study, Three research questions was raised. The study was delimited to primary school teachers in public primary schools in Ovia North-East LGA. The survey research design was used in conducting the study. The population of the study consisted of all primary school teachers in selected primary schools in Ovia North-East LGA and a total of 60 teachers as sample size. The main instrument for the study was a selfstructured questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was established by giving it to the supervisor of the research work and two other experts in the field of this research study. The reliability of the instrument was established using the test-retest method of estimating reliability. After computation, the reliability yielded a Coefficient of 0.78. The questionnaire was distributed directly to the respondents by the researcher. After the collection and collation of the instrument, the data obtained were subjected to analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Results from the study showed among other things that, there is a good level of knowledge of the importance of school health services; availability of school health services is moderate; and the extent of utilization of these school health services is average and overall it aids the IX educational development of pupils. Consequent upon the findings of this study, it was recommended that; State government through the state ministry of health and education should improve the awareness of school health services through sensitization and health programme for primary school teachers; school principals and head teachers of primary schools should ensure that their teachers are well informed for looking after the health and well being of their pupils and reporting or referring health cases to school clinics; state ministry of education should ensure that every school in Ovia North-East has a school doctor and nurse to attend adequately to the health needs of pupils and school personnel and lastly, school teachers should be enlightened and trained on how to administer first aid treatment to pupils in cases of emergencies.