DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i03.104

Pages: 1340-1354

This study was conducted to determine the level of implementation of healthful school environment in selected secondary schools in Calabar Municipality. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study employed the descriptive survey design. The multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select a total of 314 SS2 students, 100 teachers and 20 principals from 20 schools (10 public and 10 private) and 2 policy makers to make up the sample size of 436. A 25 item validated questionnaire, key informant interview guides and observation checklist were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from respondents. Population and independent t-test were used to test the two hypotheses formulated. The results of data analysis were presented in tables and figures. The result of the study revealed that a significant difference exist between the SHP implementation guidelines and healthful school living/environment in schools and that school ownership significantly influenced the implementation of healthful school living/environment (P = 0.000). Private schools were observed to have more of the facilities than the public schools (recreational facilities were found in 40% public and 80% private schools, functional taps in 30% public and 80% private schools, total fencing of school found in 30% public and 70% private schools, adequate desk and chairs for students was observed in 40% public and 100% private schools). Based on the findings, recommendations made included: that copies of the SHP policy and implementation guidelines be made a compulsory document for all schools to guide programme implementation and that the Government should see it as a priority to ensure healthful living in schools by supporting schools to provide the needed facilities.