Reports from 35 of 63 provincial education departments and field surveys conducted in 2024 found that nearly 125,000 students were taller than 175 cm.
Most schools surveyed used a single size of desks and chairs for entire classes despite differences in students' height. Some furniture did not meet any of the sizes specified under current education ministry standards.
Schools told to review desks and chairs for taller students (Photo: My Ha)
Many desks and chairs have been in use for more than 20 years without repair or replacement, while some schools still use three- or four-seat desks or fixed desk-and-chair units.
Some classrooms also provide less than the required 1.5 square metres per student, making it difficult to arrange furniture in line with existing standards.
The Ministry of Education and Training is working with the ministries of Science and Technology and Health to revise regulations governing school furniture, including possible new standards for students taller than 1.75 metres.
Pending the revisions, provincial education departments have been asked to assess students' height and ensure desks and chairs are appropriately selected, repaired and arranged.
Schools have also been instructed to classify existing furniture by regulated size, measure students at the start of each school year and match desks and chairs to their height.
They must then determine which furniture needs repair or replacement and make the necessary purchases.
For students taller than 1.75 metres, provincial education departments will work with local science, technology and health authorities to determine appropriate desk and chair dimensions.
A survey conducted across six provinces and cities found that many schools had purchased furniture without first assessing students' height to determine the appropriate size.
