Analysis of Spatial Distribution of the Number of Students per Class in Secondary Schools for Rural and Urban Areas in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: A change in the education system in Turkey 2013 have negatively affected the number of student per class, which is one of main indicators to explain equal education right. This increase has created unequal educational opportunity in some secondary schools across the country. Thus, the objective of the study is to research spatial distribution of the number of students per classroom in urban and rural areas of Turkey. Data and Methods: The statistical data is collected from Turkish Statistical Institute and Ministry of National Education at 2013. Mapping analyses is conducted by using Mapinfo software. Results: Spatial maps show the distributions of the number of students per classrooms in Turkey for urban and rural areas. It is observed that the number of students per class are rather high in the east and southern east regions of Turkey and most of the metropolitans, they are very low in inner part of Turkey. Particularly, students' number per class are so dramatic for the Southeastern Anatolia due to terrorism and the high population growth rate. In conclusion, it has been determined that there is a need for more classes in some regions while they are less than necessary in some others.