Beyond The Block: Building Material Choice, Indoor Environmental Quality And Pupil Well-Being In Nigerian Primary Schools

Abstract

In the hot-humid climate of South East Nigeria, classroom overheating poses a persistent indoor environmental quality (IEQ) challenge with direct consequences for pupil comfort and learning conditions. This paper presents a comparative field investigation of Sandcrete Block (SCB) and Interlocking Compressed Earth Block (ICEB) classrooms across six paired primary schools in Anambra State, combining in-situ thermal monitoring with structured pupil thermal response surveys (n = 257) conducted under normal operational conditions. ICEB classrooms recorded a statistically significant mean indoor air temperature reduction of approximately 2.03°C (t = 6.83, p < 0.01) relative to SCB counterparts, alongside reduced diurnal thermal variability during occupied hours. Occupant perception data corroborated physical measurements, with pupils in ICEB classrooms reporting systematically improved thermal sensation, preference, and acceptability. The findings establish building material selection as a primary determinant of indoor environmental quality in resource-constrained tropical schools, with direct implications for educational infrastructure policy and pupil well-being.