School administrators' views on noise pollution in schools

The aim of this study was to determine school administrators' views on noise pollution in schools. The population of this study consists of 1118 school administrators working in public primary, secondary and high schools in Sakarya province in the 2020-2021 academic year. 394 participants were reached using snowball sampling method. Survey method was used in this study. As the data collection tool, a 36-item questionnaire created by the researcher was used. As a result of the research, administrators described the noise level in their schools as medium level. It was concluded that administrators are often disturbed by the sounds caused by the unpleasant behavior of students within the school, as well as the sounds caused by places such as construction, factories, workplaces, entertainment, and bazaars located in the surrounding area. It was determined that the administrators were aware of the effect of noise disrupting the school climate and faced the physical, physiological and psychological negative effects of noise pollution on an individual basis. Noise control in school was found to be an issue ignored by school administrators both in terms of acoustics and administrative measures. Gender and education levels did not affect school administrators' views on noise level, noise sources, the impact of noise on school climate and administrative measures taken within the scope of noise control. On the other hand, it was concluded assistant principals found the noise level in their schools higher, and administrators who had 1-5 years of experience found the noise level in their schools higher. It can be said that administrators working in primary schools find the noise level in their schools higher and try to take administrative measures within the scope of noise control. It was determined that administrators whose working time at the school was 6-10 years had a higher awareness of the effect of noise disrupting the school climate. It was found that administrators working in the provincial/district center had a higher awareness of noise sources in the school. It was concluded that administrators who believe that noise cannot be prevented in school in find the noise level in their schools higher, but administrators who believe that noise can be prevented in school try to take administrative measures within the scope of noise control. Research shows that school administrators who have not taken any action in the face of the problem of noise pollution in their schools are in learned desperation and that calm in their schools is not considered a value. In this context, a quieter and calmer school vision which all stakeholders know, and share should be created. In addition, awareness and awareness-raising efforts should be carried out to raise administrators' beliefs about noise reduction. Keywords: Noise in school, educational administration and supervision, school administrators, noise control in school