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New law mandates schools to provide neutral desks to students


President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law requiring educational institutions to provide neutral desks to all students.

According to Republic Act 11394 signed by the President on August 22, a neutral desk refers to a table or armchair that is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed students.

Under the measure, all educational institutions, both public and private, are mandated to provide neutral desks equivalent to 10 percent of the student population within one year from the effectivity of the act. The institutions will eventually provide neutral desks to all students.

The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will craft the rules and regulations, including the administrative penalties for non-compliance of the law.

Senator Sonny Angara, the author of the new law, earlier said studies showed that the usual school chair does not offer left-handed students the same arm support that right-handed students enjoy, which results in discomfort and even physical pain for lefty students.

"The inefficient and awkward writing position that left-handed students must adopt in right-handed armchairs causes slower handwriting, placing them at a disadvantage on important timed examinations," Angara had said.

He said the measure aims to promote equal development of students. —KBK, GMA News

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