Barriers to the Provision of Adequate Physical Facilities in Primary Schools of District Kotli

Abstract

The research study deals with the causes of insufficient physical facilities at the primary school level in District Kotli. The objectives of this study were to assess the need for physical facilities in primary schools of District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and to identify the causes of insufficient physical facilities at the primary school level. The study was delimited to girls' primary schools in Tehsil Kotli, AJ&K. All primary school teachers and head teachers constituted the population of the study. A sample of 105 teachers from girls' primary schools was selected for the study. A five-point Likert scale was developed by the researcher to collect data from the sample. The questionnaire consisted of 24 items related to the need for physical facilities and the causes of their insufficiency at the primary school level. Data were collected personally by the researcher and analyzed using simple percentages and mean scores. The study revealed that large rooms for big classes, boundary walls, toilet facilities, and water facilities were needed in schools. Lack of sincere leadership, insufficient knowledge about the need for physical facilities, poor auditing management, and lack of community participation were identified as main causes of insufficient facilities. Insufficient primary school physical facilities stem from limited budgets, inadequate space, poor policy implementation, lack of government and community involvement, weak leadership, low awareness of facility needs, and inadequate auditing and management. The study recommends that the government increase funding to provide essential facilities and teaching and learning aids.