Spatial distribution of secondary schools in a new sub-Saharan city (Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast): the public sector, a source of spatial inequalities in access to education?

Abstract

The school function of the city of Yamoussoukro is the most important of the three functions assigned to it when it was created from scratch. At the outset, this was reflected in the construction of excellent establishments and housing for staff, which contributed to strong demographic growth. This growth, which is accompanied by spatial expansion, is a source of social needs in sectors such as education. However, urban localities are not always equipped with basic infrastructure, particularly schools, at the same rate as they grow. What then is the reality of geographical accessibility to secondary schooling in a new school town undergoing rapid change such as Yamoussoukro? The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between urban growth and the distribution of schools in order to assess the geographical accessibility of schooling. The methodology used combines documentary research and field surveys. The results show that the supply of schooling is relatively well distributed over the urban area and is largely provided by the private sector, which compensates for the spatial segregation induced by the location of public schools.