Chapter 4

School Furniture,
Equipment and Other
Facilities
ALLYN II M. CRISOLO
Discussant
 SCHOOL SEATS
&
SCHOOL TABLES
 SCHOOL SEATS
The importance of good seating cannot be
overlooked since the school children usually spend a
significant part of their time in school in a sitting
position. Good seating is necessary for comfort and
good posture and it crucial to the proper physical
development of the child.
  An anthropometric study was
undertaken by the Bureau of Elementary
Education and the following are some
of its findings, which today are still
applicable/acceptable:
a) The children of today are generally taller than their
counterpart 30 years ago. Study show that each age
level there is a difference of 32mm to 50mm for boys
and 8mm to 9mm for girls.

b) The national mean generally for most body

measurements shows an increase in the mean as age
increases.
c) The mean standing height of boys and girls almost
remain constant.

d) Pupils/students assume varied positions to get the

right focal point when doing classroom activities like
writing, reading, listening and writing on the board.
 Other body parts that facilitate learning and
contribute to proper posture of pupils/students
are:

1) standing height

2) sitting height

3) elbow height, and

4) inner knee height

 SCHOOL SEATS

It must be emphasized further that provision for

left-handed pupils/students shall be considered,
such that at least two (2) armchairs for them are
available in each classroom/instructional area.
  Good seating is characterized as
follows:
a) Seat height shall be constructed that the child’s
feet are flat on the floor.

b) The backrest provides support to the lumbar

region of the child’s back.
  Good seating is characterized as
follows:
c) There is a clearance from three to four inches
between the front edge of the seat and the inside
angle of the knee.

d) The seat slopes slightly backward.

  Good seating is characterized as
follows:
e) The surface of the desk or table overlaps the seat
by three to four inches.

f) There is sufficient leg space between the seat and

the underside of the desk or table.
  Seat dimensions for good fit are
usually determined according to the
following specifications:
a) Seat height is equal, more or less, to the lower leg
height.

b) Seat depth shall be 50mm short of the upper leg

measurement.
c) Backrest height shall be as high as the last lumbar
vertebra.

d) Seat inclination may be from three to five degrees.

e) Backrest to seat angle may be from 95 to 115

degrees.
 SCHOOL TABLES
School tables, such as pupils/students’/students’
table, teacher’s table, library table, demonstration
table, dining table, and conference table are
designed according to their use or function.
 Table height. This is determined in
relation to the following requirements:
a) There shall be sufficient clearance between the
underside of the tabletop and the seat of the
chair to allow comfortable space for the thighs
of the seated person.

b) The tabletop shall be level with the elbows of

the seated person.
c) For visual comfort, it shall be possible for the
seated person to work with his eyes at the near
point, that is the nearest distance at which the
eye can be focused without strain.

d) The part-body measurements that are

considered in determining table height are
elbow height, thigh thickness, and eye height
 Tabletop area is determined according to its
purpose (Teacher’s tables, library tables and
others) and the part-body measurements of
the person working on it.
a) Comfortable reach forward may be taken sweeping
sideways both hands as far forward as possible
without touching the near end of the table.
b) Maximum reach forward may be determined by
sweeping sideways both hands as far forward as
possible while learning against the table edge.
SCHOOL FURNITURES PROGRAM
ACCOMPLISHMENT
HISTOTICAL COST OF
SCHOOL FURNITURES
NON-WOOD ALL STEEL

TWO (2) SEATER TABLE AND CHAIR (2018)