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Erratic furniture design creates health problems for students
In most of the schools, furniture designed by the manufacturers without considering the anthropometric dimensions of the school children of different age groups, are found to be causing serious ailments.
Nellore: In most of the schools, furniture designed by the manufacturers without considering the anthropometric dimensions of the school children of different age groups, are found to be causing serious ailments. Benches and desks have become unsuitable for the children, compelling them to adopt awkward postures while attending their classes. Flaws in the furniture designs contribute to discomfort and inconvenience and are adversely affecting classroom learning activity.
- Majority students face joint, muscle pains
- Orthopedic disorders affect psychological behaviour
A study conducted by some teachers in schools in the district reveals mismatch between different dimensions of school furniture. The respective anthropometric study on school children related to human body and its movement divulges that students are the worst sufferers of spine, neck and muscle problems. Nearly 52 per cent children are reported to have been suffering from muscle pains in the age group of 8 to 12. Children of secondary school spend about 70-80 per cent of their time in classrooms which require them to sit continuously for long hours.
Experts opine that dimensions of benches and desks should be suitable for pupils. Pitiably, it is not found in a large number of schools. It compels the children to adopt awkward postures while attending their classes. There are 3,434 government schools in Nellore district in which around 2.50 lakh children are studying. Even in private or aided schools, furniture is not designed ergonomically. Furniture in libraries, computer sections and labs are also not suitable for regular use.
“They are sitting in a detrimental posture for 7-8 hours in schools and further sitting on floor for 2-3 hours at tuition centres. This leads to spinal and muscle problems. Lack of nutritious food in rural areas worsens their problems. It affects their psychological behaviour including low level of learning,” said Dr Murthy, an orthopedic practitioner in the city. Regular exercise is the remedy, opined experts. But hectic class routines in many schools are constraints to perform exercise regularly.
Even physical education teachers are also not realising this fundamental aspect of health. “We don’t have time to prepare students regularly. They will be having one to two sessions in a week as per time table in rural areas where pressure is less. Still, they have to manage with existing seating arrangements and no thorough study has been carried out on health implications on children due to these erratic designs,” said a physical education teacher on condition of anonymity.
