Purpose of the Study (1) To study health environment of Elementary schools in Bangkok Metropolis. (2) To compare health environment among elementary schools of the Department of General Education, Ministry of Education, and elementary schools of Bangkok Metropolis and private elementary schools. (3) To help educational administrators to improve health environment in their schools. Method of Study Ninety-Eight schools were chosen from 791 elementary schools in Bangkok Metropolis by a stratified random sampling method. Among those schools were 24 schools of the Department of General Education, 38 schools of Bangkok Metropolis and 36 private elementary schools. The writer sent questionnaires to the principals of those schools to be filled-out and returned to him. Then response percentages for each item were calculated and presented in tables. Major Findings The results of this study are the following:- (1) Generally, the elementary schools of the Department of General Education are fairly large, and they have more students, on the average, than the schools of Bangkok Metropolis and the private elementary schools. In addition there are more students per class-rooms in the elementary schools of the Department of General Education than in the other two types of schools; the ratio of which is higher than the standard set forth by the Department itself. There are insufficient teachers in Bangkok Metropolis schools. The school area of the elementary private schools does not meet the standard of the Ministry of Education. (2) Physical environment in elementary schools. 2.1 Most of the elementary schools of the Department of General Education and the Bangkok Metropolis schools are situated in low and wetland and also on temple and mosque grounds. Consequently, these schools do not have sufficient playground space for their students; also there are few shade trees. 2.2 About 42% of Bangkok Metropolis schools and 25% of the elementary schools of the Department of General Education do not have enough classrooms to accommodate their student populations. Of the 3 types of Elementary schools, 60% have sufficient light and 90% have ventilation. 2.3 Of the 3 types of elementary schools, 83% have enough desks and 90% have chalkboards. 2.4 Water supplies in the 3 types of elementary schools are unhygienic and inadequate. 2.5 Toilet fixtures the 3 types of elementary schools are inadequate and there are none in some private elementary schools. 2.6 Refuse disposal in most schools is done by burning and being carried away by dump trucks. Sewage is disposed by draining. 2.7 There are few accidents and health nuisances in the 3 types of elementary schools. 2.8 All 3 types of elementary schools have dining halls, school fences, and school custodians. (3) Mental environment in elementary schools. It was found that the social atmosphere in the schools is pleasant. There are good relationships among teachers, schools, and home. Most schools provide recreational activities for students.
