Pilot Investigation on the Mismatches of Classroom Furniture and Student Body Dimensions in Malaysian Secondary Schools

Abstract

Problem statement: This study is an investigation of the mismatch between chair and desk dimensions and student body dimensions. Approach: The objective of this study was to determine whether design improvement and further study is required in order to improve the conditions in Malaysian primary schools. Results: The supplied standard government issued classroom furniture was measured and anthropometrics measurements data were collected from 300 students from three pilot study schools in Kuantan, Pahang covering the age group between 13-17 years. The pilot data indicate a substantial degree of mismatch between the student body dimensions and the classroom furniture. The chair is either too high or too deep for the students. The data also shows that the desk is too high for most of the students. The variability between gender and age was found to have profound impact on the mismatch levels. Conclusion/Recommendations: The result is of great concern which could pose students with the risk of having back problems in the future.