Status of primary schools in Trabzon city center with respect to the current standards and environmental health

This descriptive research is done to figure out and analyze whether the schools in Trabzon city centre and in rural areas are designed appropriately according to standards of TSI (Turkish Standards Institute); ?TS 9518/2000 Elementary School-General Rules? and ?TS 12014/1996, Environmental Health-Schools?. The questionnaire which are prepared in terms of this aim, are used in 62 schools and the data are analyzed in SPSS (13.0).At these schools totally 41221 students (50.9% boys, 49.1% girls) educate in 1231 classrooms. 16 of these schools (25.8%) were built after 2000 ?TS 9518/2000 Elementary School-General Rules? and 23 schools (37.1%) were built after 1996 ?TS 12014/1996 Environmental Health-Schools?. While the 64.5% of these schools educate in city centre, 75.8% make whole day education. There are lacks of some administrative and educational aid units in schools. While the number of the schools of which classrooms include more than 40 students is 8 (12.9%), the average is 6 (1-29). There are also 6 (9.7%) schools which have classrooms in basement.There are no technician in 98.4%, no officer in 66.1%, no security staff in 87.1%, no doctor, nurse or driver in 100% and no cleaner staff in 12.9% of these schools. 96.8% of the elementary schools use running water as a water resource and the 81.3% of the schools which have reservoir do not renew these reservoir. There are no fire escape 79.0% of schools and no report of quake-proof in the 87.1% and also there are not enough practice made annually in 96.8% of these schools.The width size of the 55.4% of entrance and 85.7% of exit doors were not appropriate to standards. 52.3% of the entrance doors of the schools which are made after 2000 are appropriate to standards. The average appropriateness of ladders outside the building is average 46.9% and inside the building is 51.8%. The appropriateness of inside ladders which are made after 2000 are more. Distance of board, windows and doors inside classrooms are convenient for the standards average 53.9%.The number of the cabins is not appropriate to standards in 54.8% male teachers toilet, in 91.8% female teachers toilet, in 75.8% male students toilets and in 82.3% female students toilet. While there are dustbins in 66.1% of toilets, there are not in 95.2% of cabins. 56.5% of dustbins in toilets have not closers, plastic bags or automatic closer systems.The playground areas of the garden for students are not appropriate to the standards in 66.1% of the schools. In 83.3% of the schools of which doors are direct to street (n=30), there are no safety bends in front of the school exit doors there are no crosswalk in 70.0% and no overpass in 96.7%. At 34.1% of the schools which have canteens it is seen that the operator of a canteen do not have sanitary inspection and 52.3% operator of a canteen do not wear apron or gloves. And there are foods which are sold without closing in 52.3% of these canteens.The schools (100.0%), in the city centre of Trabzon and rural areas, are not appropriate to the standards. When analyzed it can easily be seen that there is an increase on appropriateness of standards after publish the standards in the city centre of Trabzon and rural areas. Schools were created in terms of health standards, students receive training in good and healthy environment, teachers and other employees in terms of job satisfaction and productivity is important and should be taken seriously. To correct identified deficiencies in the standards. At this end, school administrators, Provincial Education Department, Governor's Office and the Ministry of Education should be sensitive; continue to provide the necessary resources and support should be provided inter-sectoral collaboration.Key Words: School Health, School Environmental Health, Standards.