CLASSROOM INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS: A CASE OF WOLAITA SODO TOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

The academic achievement of students may be influenced by many factors, but the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in classrooms has the potential to influence the teaching and learning process positively or negatively, which in turn increases or decreases the likelihood of a better academic achievement of students. Despite the fact that researches are frequently conducted in developed countries related to IEQ in classrooms and is receiving attention from academicians and policymakers, relatively little is known about the factors affecting indoor environmental quality in classroom and its impact on the student performances in developing countries. The purpose of the research is to investigate the indoor environmental quality of classroom and its impact on the student in school of Wolaita Sodo town, In order to achieve the intended objective, study employed objective measurement and questioner survey, which was underpinned with focus group discussion. Moreover physical measurements were conducted in 16 classrooms for assessing the environmental parameter. Based on the result of the study all the selected classrooms have thermal comfort, visual comfort and indoor air quality comfort status which exceeding the recommended guidelines by ASHREA and STN EN 15251 standards. The result shows that, with in classroom indoor environment was affected by different factors.