SCHOOL BUILDINGS - WordPress.com · 2017-02-20 · Elective: School Management Notes Dr. S....

Elective: School Management Notes Dr. S. Arockiasamy, SXCE

1

UNIT - III

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A SCHOOL BUILDINGS

The American Association of School Administration has suggested seven characteristics of a

school campus:

1. Adequacy: The school campus should fulfill the principle of adequacy. It should have

adequacy in respect of everything i.e. i. Site and Surroundings ii. Area iii. Plan iv. Design of

construction.

2. Safety: Safety of the staff and students in the school campus is very important. Safety from

general point of view and also from health and hygienic point of view is very important. The

campus, therefore, should be away from any big drain or canal or some main road.

3. Co-ordination: Co-ordination among the different units that function in the institution is very

important. Proper co-ordination of all the activities that go on in the institution is very important.

The different parts of the school campus such as office of the Head of the institution, staff room,

office, class-rooms, laboratories, workshops should stand well inter-linked and co-ordinated. The

workshop, the chemistry laboratory etc. should not disturb other departments. These should be

situated away from the different class-rooms. But there must be proper co-ordination.

4. Efficiency: Efficiency in work is the most important thing in the school campus. A good school

makes the learners have maximum of efficiency and more of output by putting in less input. It

does not in any way result into wastage of time and energy on the part of the staff and the

students. The whole school campus should be planned in such a way that there is efficiency and

unity of work.

5. Beauty: The school campus should have its own beauty. Neat and clean environment of the school

has its own charm. A beautiful campus attracts the learners and it does not make them feel bored,.

Artistic beauty of school campus is everlasting.

6. Flexibility: Nothing in the institution should be based on the principle of rigidity. There should be

scope for modifications as per needs mid requirements of the staff and the students. Suppose a


2

building for the library has been constructed.. With the passage of time, there should be snipe for

us expansion, for its modification, for some alternations so as have more benefits out of it.

7. Economy: The principle of economy is of great importance in the school campus. Every school

campus is always in the process of making. It is growing and developing at even stage and at even'

time. It always needs more and more of funds for its enrichment.

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS

School plant is the school campus which includes everything present there which is

immovable. School plant gives the first impression to all those persons who come to the

school. Gone are the days when simple type of school plants catered to the needs of the

people. Now one and all give special importance to the school plant. A good school plant

attracts a large number of people.

The following points highlight the importance of school plant:

1. The school plant has a direct influence on the growth and development of the

children. A good school plant guarantees good environment which is conductive for

good health of the children.

2. Good school plant sets the tone of the school. The tone of the school matters much in the

study environment of the children.

3. Good school plant shapes the personality of the students. Character manners, etiquettes,

behaviour etc. are formed in the school campus.

4. A good school plant helps in the all round development of the personality of the children.

Only a good school campus has provision of all types of activities for the children. Natural

then only with all facilities, the learners make all round progress.

5. Only a good school plant can attract the attention of fresher’s / beginners. At the early

stages, every one compares the school with his, home. A place better than home or as

good as home can captivate their attention to have better results,

6. Healthy environment, attractive building, provision of more facilities have everlasting

impact on the learners and their parents. When they like the school campus from the core of

their hearts, naturally then it is bound to yield far better results.


3

SELECTION OF A SITE FOR THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS

The site of the school cannot be anywhere and everywhere. It has its concern not only

with the minds of the pupils but also with their bodies. Efficient schooling depends

considerably upon the site and situation of the school. Selection of a site is. Therefore, a very

important issue. The following points should be kept in mind while selecting a site for the

school.

W.M. Ryburn says, '"The site should be near a road, yet back from the road as can be

arranged to escape as much dust as possible"

1. The school should be located in a congenial and pleasant environment. In the case

of a village, it should not be far away where the children may find it hard to reach.

2. It should not be near a factory, a market, a bus stand, a railway station, a railway track

or any such crowded place.

3 It should not be at some low lying area which may be filled up during the rainy season.

4. There should be scope for future expansion as the need arises in due course of time.

5. It should not be situated on the main road. In case it is so, there should be provision of

separate approach road from the city which can be used by the child.

6. The area should be well developed from different viewpoints. There should be

provision of electricity, water arrangements, facilities of post office, bank, hospital

etc.

7. There should be no tank or canal nearby.

8. There should be no stagnant heaps of filth nearby.

9. And above all, the surrounding area of the school campus should be neat and clean.

10. The area for die school campus should be sufficient so as to have play grounds, the hostel

etc. as near to the school as possible.

11. The school site should be free from any type of soil dampness. The soil should be quick-

drying.

12. There should be possibility of easy water supply.

13. There should be adequate sunlight during the entire school day.

14. Other things being equal, it is advisable to purchase die cheapest land for the school.


4

15. It should not be far away. It should be within the walking or transportation distance

of the pupils.

CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL BUILDING

Construction of a school building involves heavy expenditure. It may not be possible to

construct the whole of the building at a time.

The Headmaster should be an engineer apart from being an administrator.

He should know something about the construction of building. No doubt, the whole work of

construction is to be got done from the persons meant for that purpose.

But he will be able to have it done better when he has some idea about the building work.

The complete design of the school building may be got prepared and kept in the record.

The Head of the institution can then, continue with the project in phases as per the budget

provisions. No school building can come up in its final shape in one attempt.

The school plant grows and develops with the passage of time. The Head of the school

having experience of building work can handle the situation rightly.

MAINTENANCE AND BEAUTIFICATION OF SCHOOL CAMPUS

The following things in the school campus need special care:

1. Lawns of the school: The grassy lawns of the school add to the beauty of the school. They

have to be kept neat and clean, regular grass cut, keeping the flower beds up to the mark etc.

2. Maintenance of the building: The building of the school needs all lime care. Its repairs and

white wash need to be done off and on.

3. Maintenance of the Furniture: The furniture of the school constant checkup and proper

care. Whenever there is some breakage, its immediate repair need be done.

4. Maintenance of Play Grounds: The better the play grounds of the school, the more the

students feel attracted towards games. They should therefore, be kept clean and tidy. They

should also be well leveled from time to time.

5. Bath-rooms and Latrines: The bath rooms and latrines should be cleaned very regularly.

Their proper arrangement keeps the environment healthy.

6. Drinking water facility and its surroundings: Generally the place for drinking water is not

up to the mark in the school. This need be kept neat and clean with extra care.


5

DESIGN OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING

There can be different designs of the school building. Design of the school depends upon the

space available, funds in hand, type of school whether primary or high etc. It also depends upon the

liking and choice of the Head of the School. It is better if its map is planned by keeping in view

all aspects of school life at present and also those which would be there in times to come.

Some of the common designs of school buildings are E. N, I. L. T. H, U. Out of these, ‘I’ type is

the best to start with. It can be converted to any other type later on, say E, N. L. T, U etc.

Generally 'U' type building is recommended for the elementary school. Out of these 'E' and 'N'

types are very common for high schools. In their case, cross ventilation is possible, light can enter

from north and moreover, verandah can be possible on both sides of the rooms.

Here below are illustrated a few types of school buildings:

1 14 2 13 3 12 4 Hall 11 5 10 6 9 7 8

H – Type

XII

I

I XII II XI III X IV

IX VIII VII VI V

U- Type

3 2 1 4 5

Hall 6 7 8 9 10

E- Type


6

SCHOOL COMPONENTS AND MAINTENANCE

A fine building makes a fine school and a poor building a poor one. The following are the

components of a school:

1. Headmaster's Office

It should be at some prominent place where the Headmaster's presence may be felt

strongly.

The visitors may not find any problem in meeting him.

Generally it is near the entrance to the school or it is in the front which catches the

sight of every one coming to the school.

By having his office at such a place, the Headmaster is able to maintain discipline of the

school.

Any outside interference can be got rid of within no time. The Headmaster's office

should have attached bath room, retiring room etc.

The Headmaster's office should be spacious one so that whenever need of calling a

meeting arises, the whole staff may be seated there.

And above all, the Headmaster's office should be attractive to look at because the

outsiders, the parents of children are to visit mostly his office and this should impress

them.

Of course, this does not mean that only the Headmaster's office should be impressive

and other aspects of school campus may be ignored.

Everything is important in its own place and in its own way. Due attention should,

therefore, be paid to them also.

2. Visitor's Room

Every institution should have a well furnished visitor's room.

Anybody coming to the school who intends meeting the Headmaster can at once be

seated there comfortably.

The Headmaster can ask the peon to look after every such person visiting the school.

Nothing likes that if the school can afford the services of a receptionist who can be

seated at a place near the entrance of the school. The person can welcome every visitor.


7

3. The school Office

The school office should be as near to Headmaster's office as possible. The office staff,

the clerk, the steno.

The head clerks are the persons who are concerned with the Headmaster at every

moment. The whole clerical work is to be carried on there.

In fact, the proper functioning of the school depends considerably upon the efficiency of

the clerical staff.

No doubt, the teaching staff is mainly responsible for the efficiency of the school but the

work done by the clerical staff also determines it considerably.

The room meant for the office should not be congested one.

There should be enough space for different persons who have to sit and work in the

office.

They should be able to sit in that room where they may find themselves as independent

units and if need arises they should be able to have quick and easy access to the

neighboring official. It should have an attached bath room.

4. Class-Rooms

The class-rooms in the school can be of varied types. Mostly the rectangular types

suit well. Some of the schools do have class-rooms of semi circular shape. They are

also equally good.

Dimensions of a class-room depend upon the number of students who are to be

seated. General norm of space of 10 square feet per student. Thus we need 400

square feet space for 40 students and 600 square feet space for 60 students.

Coming now to the dimensions of a room we will say that it should be 30' X 25'. The

height of the room should be 20 feet.

The class-rooms of standard size should be got constructed while constructing the school

building.

The class-rooms should have doors, windows and ventilators, on both the sides so that

they are sufficiently airy.

Besides, the rooms should be constructed in such a way that there is provision for

sufficient light entry from north side.


8

The furniture in the class-rooms should be of the type which is comfortable for the

students. Dual desks may be got fixed in the room.

The desk should have a surface slope say of 15 degrees to the horizontal. It should

have drawers where the children can keep their books.

In the case of junior students, the desks and benches can be of smaller size where

they may sit comfortably. The desks should be attached to the seats.

Desks with moveable tops can also be used. Ryburn gives a very good opinion

about the distance of seat from the desk for reading and writing purposes.

The opinion of Ryburn is: Every room should have one or two cupboards in which

dusters, chalks, registers, books of reference, another things may be kept.

The cheapest cupboards are those which built into the wall when the building is being

built. Care has to be taken to prevent white ants from demolishing the contents.

If possible, there should also be open shelves in the room for dictionaries,

encyclopedias, picture books, atlases and so on. A science room will have a large number

of cupboards.

The black-board is necessary equipment for every class-room.

It should be fixed up at the place where there is no reflection of light, should be well

taken care of that the blackboard writing is clearly visible to all the students sitting in

the class. It should not be placed in windows.

5. Staff Room

The staff room in the school building should be at such a place where there is least

disturbance of the classes.

It should spacious enough to accommodate the whole teaching staff of the school. It

should have a bath room attached to it with modem amenities facilities as far as

possible.

Staff room should be well furnished with chairs, tables and suitable type of almirahs

for the teachers. One or two almirahs with pigeon holes may be got fixed up in this

room.

6. Science Laboratories

The school building should have a separate wing where science laboratory or


9

laboratories can be got constructed.

Usually there is one science laboratory in a school.

If possible there should be separate science laboratories namely Physics Laboratory,

Chemistry Laboratory, Botany Laboratory, Zoology Laboratory etc.

The Chemistry Laboratory should be on one side so that filthy smell coming out as a

result of experiments being conducted in this laboratory does not spoil the air of the

whole campus.

As far as possible, lecture room-cum-laboratory should be constructed. It can be

done in a big room where lecture work can be possible in one corner of it and science

practicals may be carried on in the second corner.

The store room however should be attached to the above said big room.

7. Drawing Room

Drawing is one of the most useful subjects that help in the development of children's

senses. It makes the students interested in doing work.

The school building should have a separate room for this subject as it requires special

type of seating arrangements.

It is also a sort of laboratory where the students do practical work.

Here the experiments are done with the help of paper, pencil, brush, colors etc.

8. Subject Room

Some of the schools do have subject rooms, for example, Mathematics room,

Geography room etc.

In a subject room the different type of apparatus, models, and charts concerning that

subject can be placed in the almirah or displayed on the wall.

The type of room gives a better look to the school campus.

The teacher can also teach well when he and the students find themselves in proper type

of atmosphere.

The subject room has no specialty over an ordinary class-room.

We can convert any class-room into a subject room by putting some material, apparatus

etc. of that subject in the almirahs of the room.

Once we have converted a room into a subject room, then it should continue to be used


10

as far as possible for the classes for that subject only.

9. The School Canteen

The school building should have a canteen within the campus.

It should have at least two service rooms apart from the preparation room and the

store.

One of the service rooms should be for the students, the other for the staff.

They should be well furnished with one wash-basin fixed in each of the rooms.

Having a suitable type of building for the canteen is not sufficient.

Its running to the entire satisfaction of' all concerned is more important.

Let one or two teachers are the supervisors of the school canteen.

Rates of different items should be fixed up by the school authorities.

There should be proper supervision of everything, the articles, the service etc.

Then and only then the real purpose of having a canteen can be fulfilled.

10. The Multipurpose Hall

The school should have one big hall where assembly of the whole school may be

possible.

The same hall can be used for conducting examinations.

Functions of the school can be organized in this very hall.

A big hall is a must for every school because it is the basic requirement of the

school.

It also adds to the prestige of the school.

Now the question is what should be the size of the hall.

It will vary from school to school.

A big school should have a big hall and a small one may have a small size hall.

The idea is that at the time of school functions, all the students and the staff

members of the school may be seated in it. It should have at least that much space.

We must say that it should be of rectangular type. Generally accepted size of the

hall is 60 feet in length, 40 feet in breadth and 30 feet in height.

On one side of the rectangular shaped hall, there should be a dais.

If possible curtains should hang on the dais. It adds to the beauty of the hall.


11

It should be well decorated fans; mike etc. should be fitted in it.

There should be arrangement of exhaust fans so that at the time of functions, the

foul air collected inside might get exhausted.

11. Drinking Water Room

The school should have one room in which arrangement of drinking water can be

made.

Water may be stored in some reservoir constructed in that room.

If possible, water cooler may also be got fixed up. Good water arrangements

especially in summer season make the students and the teachers feel comfortable and

thus they tire able to work more.

12. Cycle Shed

The school should have good arrangements for keeping the bi-cycles.

Without a cycle shed, it will not be possible to put the bicycles in a systematic manner.

So making provision of a cycle shed is essential for the school.

It should be on one side of the building near the entrance gate of the school.

Some person should be there to look after the bicycles. These days cycle is the

cheapest conveyance.

That is why we find large number of school students coming on bicycles. Its non-

availability will keep the students dissatisfied.

That dissatisfaction might result in some sort of indiscipline. So the school authorities

should provide cycle shed facility.

13. Lavatories

One of the basic necessities of the school staff and the students is the provision of

neat and clean lavatories.

The lavatories should be on one side of the building within the school campus.

They should be flush type if possible. There should be separate lavatories for

the staff and the students.

Their number should be adequate so that the students may not continue waiting for

their turn.


12

14. Lawns and Gardens

Building with bricks is not the whole campus.

Plantation of trees, developing grassy lawns, a small garden with variety of flowers

etc. is also essential.

They give a better look to the school building.

The small garden will make the school campus look doubly beautiful.

Green grass, the lovely trees, the beautiful flower plots are essential in the school

campus.

The school children feel pleasure to see them, they enjoy a lot to see the grassy plots

and lawns, they can also while away some of their free time by sitting in the lawns

under the shades of the trees.

15. The Play Grounds

The school campus without play grounds does not seem to be complete. Play

grounds are needed for all types of physical exercises.

Proper growth and development of the personality of the child is the chief aim of

every educational institution.

That is possible if provision of playgrounds is made along with the establishment of

schools. As far as possible, maximum number of games should be provided by the

school.

There is need of play grounds for games like football, volleyball, hockey, basketball,

cricket etc. Arrangements for all these should exist there.

Sometimes we find that the school is situated in the city and playgrounds are

located far from the school.

The result is that very few children can take part in games.

The school can encourage the students for participation in games only if it has

adequate playgrounds.

The participation in games should be made compulsory for the students.

16. Quarters for the School Staff

As far as possible, the school campus should have quarters for the staff members

within the premises.


13

It is very much required for the ladies staff appointed in the rural areas who have

also to reside there. Besides, the provision of staff quarters keeps every teacher well

satisfied.

The students are also able to derive more benefit thereby. The staff can participate

and also look after well the participation of the students in different games.

In this regard, Secondary Education Commission says. "In doing so, the state

should come to the aid of the schools by starting co-operative housing societies and by

giving loans to the management of the schools on easy terms."' .

Regarding staff quarters, Late Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru said. "It

seems to be more important to have a proper house for the teacher than to put up a

building for the school. The teacher could keep the equipment and teach outside.

The school revolves round the teacher and not round the building."

17. The School Library

"A collection of books, even a collection of good books, does not constitute a library"

- Kothari Education Commission

Library is the most important central place in the school which helps in creating proper

atmosphere for studies.

It is the source of great inspiration for the learners as well as the teachers.

Efforts should therefore, be to make it really a place worth the name so that any and

every reader is attached to it. Barbara Ruth Fuessli Kyle writes: "Libraries preserve

knowledge so that none is lost, organise knowledge so that none is wasted, and make

knowledge available so that no one need be deprived."

An efficient library service is the heart and soul of a modern school. This is no longer a

subject of debate.

In a sense, the nature of the school library service is an index to the character and quality

of instruction and curriculum development in the school.

The provision of dynamic methods of teaching in modern school system demands that the

students should develop art of an effective self-study through effective self-effort or

activity.

This involves training in the use of reference books and regular use of school library for


14

acquiring knowledge.

This is what brings into play the concept of library which is an indispensable agency of

education today.

Library is, today, no longer a luxury item in the school but an essential tool in the teaching

programme.

An eminent educationist has beautifully visualized the concept in the following words :

"For the child," a school library is a new world of spiritual and cultural

adventure.

"For the teacher," a school library is an untold increase in resources and power.

"For the school," a library means a new atmosphere of learning.

"For the home," a library means the development of habit of reading.

Advantages of School Library

1. Supplement Class-Work: School Library is the store-house of knowledge and

information. It supplements work done by children in the classroom. In the words of

Secondary Education Commission, 1952-53: ''Individual work, the pursuit of group

projects, many academic hobbies and co-curricular activities postulate the existence of a

good, efficiently managed library. To broaden interest, to increase vocabulary of

students and to know more about the topic discussed in the class or text-book, students

depend upon the resources available in the library."

2. Stimulates and Guides Pupils: School library stimulates and guides pupils in all phases

of their reading. A continuous interaction with books develops critical judgment and

appreciation among readers.

3. Development of Interests and Attitudes: Library provides every possible opportunity

for pupils to develop useful interests. It also helps pupils to make satisfactory personal

adjustment and thereby acquire desirable social attitudes.

4. Developing Sense of Discrimination: Regular use of library is helpful in developing

among pupils keen sense of discrimination regarding printed material,

5. Promoting Habit of Self-Study: School library acts as an agency for promoting habit of

self-study and self education. By making unlimited books on variety of subjects, the library

becomes a source of rich content which, otherwise, cannot be had by one's private means.

6. Broadens Areas of Information: It enriches one's field of interest. It broadens outlook.


15

It does so by placing before the pupils are master-pieces of master minds.

7. Choice of Books: Library helps pupils in their choice books and other materials of learning

for personal as well curricular purpose.

8. Inculcates Problem-solving Attitude: L i b r a r y i s h e l p f u l in inculcating the

problem-solving attitude in the pupils. It does so by providing depth of knowledge

concerning different subjects.

Thus, library acts as a friend, a guide, a companion a philosopher for those who seek

knowledge and information.

Date post:	15-Mar-2020
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	0 times
Download:	0 times

SCHOOL BUILDINGS - WordPress.com · 2017-02-20 · Elective: School Management Notes Dr. S....

Documents