From Space to Society: Integrating Remote Sensing and GIS to Monitor Educational Infrastructure and Social Transformation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/ijess.v5i1.14221
Authors

(1) * Omid Tarashtwal   (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA)  
        United States
(2)  Abdul Wali Sirat   (Samangan University)  
        Afghanistan
(3)  Zabihullah Nadry   (Samangan University)  
        Afghanistan
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Monitoring educational infrastructure in conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan remains critical for understanding social transformation and guiding evidence-based policy. Indeed, rather vital. This study develops an integrated Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to analyze the spatial distribution, growth, and accessibility of educational facilities in Afghanistan between 2020 and 2025. Multi-temporal satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8/9 was combined with socio-economic datasets, including population density, poverty indicators, and official school records, to map schools and madrasahs, assess accessibility, and identify infrastructure scarcity hotspots (what is more, the combination yielded quite robust results). Accessibility analyses employing urban and rural buffer zones revealed significant disparities, with rural populations facing markedly limited physical access and correspondingly higher educational deprivation. Quite stark, in fact. Multi-criteria hotspot modelling further highlighted those regions where high population demand converges with poor facility quality and teacher shortages, thereby indicating critical service gaps. For that matter, these gaps persist rather stubbornly. Comparative analysis of infrastructure growth versus population expansion demonstrated, quite convincingly, that in many urban and rural areas new school construction has not fully matched demographic demand, thus revealing unmet educational needs. The study emphasises that spatially explicit, data-driven approaches are essential for equitable educational planning and for supporting social transformation in fragile contexts. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, international donors, and planners to prioritise interventions in underserved regions and promote inclusive educational development. Future research could usefully integrate real-time geospatial monitoring and participatory approaches to enhance educational planning and social development strategies further.

Keywords

Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Educational Infrastructure



Full Text: PDF



References


Agrawal, A., & Petersen, M. R. (2021). Detecting Arsenic Contamination Using Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning. Toxics, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9120333

Ahuja, S., Patil, S., & Bhangale, U. (2023). Semantic Understanding of High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Images Using Directional Geospatial Relationships. Annals of GIS, 29(3), 401–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475683.2023.2181394

Alajmi, A., & Worthington, A. C. (2021). Qualitative Insights Into Corporate Governance Reform, Management Decision-Making, and Accounting Performance: Semi-Structured Interview Evidence. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3884667

Atif, N. (2024). A Descriptive Analysis of AI’s Role in Enhancing the Quality of Teaching and Learning Outcomes. Academic Journal of Research and Scientific Publishing, 6(66), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.52132/ajrsp.e.2024.66.3

Barman, M., & Pradhan, J. (2025). Regional Heterogeneities and Socio-Economic Determinants of Childhood Undernutrition in India: A Geospatial Analysis. Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-025-09670-6

Baytiyeh, H. (2021). Social Media Tools for Educational Sustainability in Conflict-Affected Regions. Education Sciences, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11110662

Bergman, J. (2025). Climate Change Adaptation in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: Conflict and Peace Considerations in Project Design. Environment and Security, 3(3), 299–318. https://doi.org/10.1177/27538796251315292

Botchkaryov, A. (2022). Coscheduling Spatial Self-Organization and Distributed Data Collection in Multi-Agent System. Advances in Cyber-Physical Systems, 7(2), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.23939/acps2022.02.076

Chipatiso, E. (2023). Analyzing the Nexus Between Spatial Data Infrastructure Development and E-Government. Qeios. https://doi.org/10.32388/hkkkj5

Ding, S., & Wu, L. (2025). Disparities in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Distribution: A Socio-Spatial Clustering Study in King County, Washington. Sustainable Cities and Society, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2025.106193

Dogra Sahni, M. A., & Chandra Jena, D. P. (2024). Cross-Cultural Literary Dialogues for Global Citizenship: Advancing SDG 4 and SDG 17 Through School-Based International Partnerships. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice. https://doi.org/10.53555/kuey.v30i11.10533

Ehlert, A. (2021). The Socio-Economic Determinants of COVID-19: A Spatial Analysis of German County Level Data. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2021.101083

Fajgelbaum, P., Gaubert, C., Gorton, N., Morales, E., & Schaal, E. (2023). Political Preferences and the Spatial Distribution of Infrastructure: Evidence From California’s High-Speed Rail. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4505068

Ferrario, A., Mahgoub, E. A. A., & Warsame, A. (2025). Monitoring Mortality in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: Predicting and Preventing Deaths in Conflict Zones Starts With Accurate Data. BMJ, 389. https://doi.org/10.1136/BMJ.R908

Frugh, Q. A., & Naseri, M. F. (2025). Surveying the IT Infrastructure Challenges in Afghanistan. International Journal on Advanced Technology Engineering and Information System (IJATEIS), 4(2), 267–281. https://doi.org/10.55047/ijateis.v4i2.1717

Gelan, E., & Girma, Y. (2022). Urban Green Infrastructure Accessibility for the Achievement of SDG 11 in Rapidly Urbanizing Cities of Ethiopia. GeoJournal, 87(4), 2883–2902. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10404-7

Gupta, N., & Li Wen, J. (2023). Evaluating Machine Learning Algorithms to Classify Forest Tree Species Through Satellite Imagery. Journal of Emerging Investigators. https://doi.org/10.59720/22-153

Hammoudeh, W., Mitwalli, S., Kafri, R., Lin, T. K., Giacaman, R., & Leone, T. (2021). The Psychological Impact of Deprivation in Regions Affected by Conflict: A Multilevel Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Lancet, 398, S29. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01515-4

Hamza, V., Stopar, B., Sterle, O., & Pavlovčič-Prešeren, P. (2023). A Cost-Effective GNSS Solution for Continuous Monitoring of Landslides. Remote Sensing, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15092287

Han, L., Lu, L., Lu, J., Liu, X., Zhang, S., Luo, K., He, D., Wang, P., Guo, H., & Li, Q. (2022). Assessing Spatiotemporal Changes of SDG Indicators at the Neighborhood Level in Guilin, China: A Geospatial Big Data Approach. Remote Sensing, 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14194985

Huang, K. (2022). RS and GIS Based LULC Change and Water Quality Monitoring. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 25, 54–63. https://doi.org/10.54097/hset.v25i.3418

Huerta, A., Bonnesoeur, V., Cuadros-Adriazola, J., Gutierrez, L., Ochoa-Tocachi, B. F., Román-Dañobeytia, F., & Lavado-Casimiro, W. (2022). PISCOeo_pm, a Reference Evapotranspiration Gridded Database Based on FAO Penman-Monteith in Peru. Scientific Data, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01373-8

Hwang, H. S., & Jung, S. (2025). A Spatial Assessment of Urban Welfare Facility Supply: Integrating Accessibility, Equity, and Demand for Daycare Centers and Senior Welfare Facilities. Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-025-09705-y

Jia, X., & Guo, B. (2022). Reliability Analysis for Complex System With Multi-Source Data Integration and Multi-Level Data Transmission. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2021.108050

Kadhum, Z. M., Al-Hameedawi, A. N., & Hamoodi, M. N. (2025). Geospatial Modeling of Drought Using Remote Sensing and GIS Technique: A Case Study of Babylon and Surrounding Area, Iraq. Global Nest Journal, 27(6). https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.07127

Koh, K., Hyder, A., Karale, Y., & Kamel Boulos, M. N. (2022). Big Geospatial Data or Geospatial Big Data? A Systematic Narrative Review on the Use of Spatial Data Infrastructures for Big Geospatial Sensing Data in Public Health. Remote Sensing, 14(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14132996

Manaf, Z. A., Tee, L. L., Shah, N. M. M., Mohammad, S. H., & Wahid, A. H. A. (2025). Urban Gardening Activities and Nutrition Education Through Board Games Improved Knowledge Related to Vegetables and Fruits Among Girls and Overweight Children in Malaysian Primary School: A Pilot Study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 44(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00993-1

Molina-Azorin, J. F., & Fetters, M. D. (2022). In This Issue: Mixed Methods in Global South Countries, Integration of Geospatial Mapping and Qualitative Inquiry, Generative Sequential Mixed Methods Research, Q Methodology, and Participatory Research in Sustainability Studies. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 16(2), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/15586898221085547

Neuman, S. B., Celano, D., & Portillo, M. (2021). Getting Books in Children’s Hands: Creating a Citywide Book Distribution Policy Using a Mixed-Methods Geospatial Approach. American Educational Research Journal, 58(4), 815–849. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831221993834

Oh, S., & Cho, J. (2024). Enhancing Regional Connectivity: A Multimodal Accessibility Assessment for Public Service Obligation Routes. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2024.104333

Patience, J. J., & Nel, D. (2021). Municipal Infrastructure Management and Its Impact on Service Delivery in the City of Ekurhuleni. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v11i1.508

Pattanshetty, S., Pardesi, M., & Gudi, N. (2023). A Comparative Analysis on the Social Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage in Fragile and Conflict Affected Settings and Non-Fragile and Conflict Affected Settings. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2022.6830

Prasetyo, S. Y. J., Sulistyo, W., Basuki, P. N., Hartomo, K. D., & Hasiholan, B. (2022). Computer Model of Tsunami Vulnerability Using Machine Learning and Multispectral Satellite Imagery. Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, 11(2), 986–997. https://doi.org/10.11591/eei.v11i2.3372

Qu, S., Wang, X., & Tao, J. (2024). Retraction Note: Assessing SDG-3 Efficiency for SDG-1 by Studying Interplay of Tourism Development, Poverty Alleviation and Sustainability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(48), 58650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35065-0

Rezaei Soufi, H., Esfahanipour, A., & Akbarpour Shirazi, M. (2022). A Quantitative Approach for Analysis of Macroeconomic Resilience Due to Socio-Economic Shocks. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2021.101101

Sarjito, A. (2024). Green Governance: Integrating Environmental Policy Into Public Decision-Making. Public Policy Journal, 5(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.37905/ppj.v5i1.2525

Schoonenboom, J. (2024). Design Patterns in Mixed Methods Research: Embedding Mixed Methods Matched Comparisons Sampling in Previous Design Decisions. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 18(3), 383–392. https://doi.org/10.1177/15586898241257284

Thomas, S., Jaramillo, L., & Bizimana, O. (2021). Scaling Up Quality Infrastructure Investment. IMF Working Papers, 2021(117), 1. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513582450.001

Uckardesler, S., & Yomralioglu, T. (2025). Multi-Source Geospatial Analysis for Disaster Risk Management in Smart Cities: Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVIII-5/W3-2025, 137–145. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlviii-5-w3-2025-137-2025


Dimensions, PlumX, and Google Scholar Metrics

10.33650/ijess.v5i1.14221


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Omid Tarashtwal, Abdul Wali Sirat, Zabihullah Nadry

Creative Commons License
 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies
Published by Lembaga Penerbitan, Penelitian, dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LP3M) of Nurul Jadid University, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.