Developing educational services in the rural areas of Al-Aziziyah district: A planning vision for the year 2034

Abstract

       The research addressed the reality of educational services in the rural area of the Al-Aziziyah district for the academic year 2024-2025. The research included a study of (66 rural settlements) whose population size was recorded as (69،277 people)، and an analysis of the functional efficiency of those services in light of the approved planning standards، leading to the development of a planning vision for their development in the target year (2034). The study area has 43 primary schools، serving 12،812 students. Of these، 37 are original schools and 6 are temporary schools. This indicates a shortage of school buildings، as 31 rural settlements lack a primary school. Furthermore، most school buildings do not meet planning standards، being either dilapidated or constructed without regard for planning regulations. There are 13 secondary schools with 3،186 students. Eleven of these secondary schools do not have their own buildings but occupy primary school buildings on a rotating basis. Other educational indicators show a marked variation in their adherence to planning standards، but they also point to an anomaly in the distribution of educational services. Some schools were built by residents of rural settlements (caravans). The surplus of teachers relative to students is due to the permanent employment of all volunteer teachers in schools، in addition to the low enrollment rate، particularly in [the area]. This includes secondary schools، but this theoretical surplus quickly turns into a real deficit in the target year if the enrollment rate reaches 100%. To determine the ideal service area for each school، ArcGIS Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was used through the buffer function. This revealed that the number of settlements outside the ideal service area for primary education reached 26، representing 39% of the total settlements in the study area. Similarly، the number of settlements outside the ideal service area for secondary education reached 34، representing 51.5% of the total settlements. The research concluded that the future vision for developing educational services in the study area requires a review of the spatial distribution of existing and proposed schools in the target year. This review should align with the expected population growth، promote spatial balance، contribute to population stability، reduce rural-to-urban migration، and achieve the goals of comprehensive development in the study area.