Evaluation of the quality of school spaces and identification of qualitative variables in primary schools

There is a growing awareness of the influence that the design of school space has on student physical and mental health. The aim of this article is to evaluate the quality of school spaces and determine the variables that are important for their users, using the case of public primary schools in the city of Oum El Bouaghi in Algeria. We propose the following hypothesis: ‘green garden, innovative school environment and ergonomics are qualitative variables of the school space that need to be taken into account to ensure the well-being of students.’ To demonstrate such a hypothesis, we used a quantitative approach, based on observation, analysis and a questionnaire survey carried out on school users. The results obtained from the fieldwork highlighted multiple conceptual problems in the studied schools. The qualitative variables suggested in the hypothesis reflect the worries, desires and inclinations of the users of the school space that should guarantee their personal and professional comfort. This research may challenge other Algerian researchers and education officials to reflect more on the current and future state of school facilities in order to make them more appropriate, according to the opinions of users and to guarantee their well-being.