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How can we tackle the "low-end" phenomenon of oversized desks paired with undersized chairs and tables?
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Beijing, June 5 (CNR News, reported by CCTV reporters Qian Cheng and Li Xiao) — According to a report from China National Radio's flagship program, desks and chairs are among the classroom furnishings that students spend the most time with, especially middle and high school students, who typically spend the majority of their learning hours at school. Therefore, having desks and chairs that are properly sized is crucial for their comfort and posture. In recent years, as living standards have improved, children’s average height has been steadily increasing. Many students already surpass 1.8 meters—or even 1.9 meters—by junior high school, yet unfortunately, many schools haven’t updated their furniture to keep pace with these growing heights. As a result, numerous parents and students have voiced discomfort from being "stuck" in desks that are simply too short for them, turning the "small desk" into a real "growing pain" for taller students. The pressing question now is: How can schools address the issue of under-sized desks and chairs?
Ms. Chen’s son is in the second year of junior high school in Henan and has already grown to 1.78 meters tall. Earlier, when Ms. Chen attended a parent-teacher meeting at his school, she noticed that the desks and chairs didn’t match her son’s height, making it extremely uncomfortable for him to sit.
Ms. Chen said, "I didn’t realize it before, but when I attended the parent-teacher meeting and sat in my child’s seat in the classroom, I immediately noticed two things: first, the desk area was incredibly small, and second, sitting there felt extremely uncomfortable. My child is much taller than me—so I wondered, would they feel even more cramped sitting at this desk and chair? And considering how long their school day is—arriving at 7 a.m. and not getting home until 8 p.m., that’s nearly ten hours of learning each day!"
This isn’t an uncommon situation. After consulting teachers, parents, and students from multiple regions, reporters found that mismatched desks and chairs—where the furniture doesn’t properly align with students’ heights—is a widespread issue in primary and secondary schools. A parent of a high school student in Beijing told reporters that the school uses the same desk and chair models across all three grade levels. Meanwhile, a high school teacher in Jiangsu revealed that while the school’s desks are height-adjustable, they require tools for assembly and disassembly, making it difficult for students to adjust them on their own. As a result, no one has reportedly tried adjusting the desks yet, and currently, the entire class is using desks set at a single, fixed height.
Shi Shaohua, Director of the Educational Technology Equipment Office at the Education and Sports Bureau of Changge City, Henan Province, told reporters that some schools, in their management processes, have blindly pursued neatness and aesthetics while neglecting students' health needs.
Shi Shaohua said, "There are a few students in the class who are taller than their peers. The varying heights of the desks in the classroom can detract from its overall aesthetic appeal. Fixed desks are less likely to get damaged because they’re sturdier and don’t wobble easily. In contrast, adjustable desks have more moving parts, making them more prone to wear and tear—and consequently driving up repair costs."
The recommended national standard "Functional Dimensions and Technical Requirements for School Desks and Chairs," implemented in 2015, specifies 11 models of desks and chairs along with the corresponding ideal height ranges for users. Additionally, local authorities have introduced their own regulations governing the management of school furniture. Reporters learned that many schools are already assigning desks and chairs of varying heights based on students' specific needs, such as their height and weight.
Zhong Zhuohuan, Director of the General Affairs Office at Nanjing No. 9 Junior Middle School, stated that the school will "custom-make" desks and chairs tailored to each student's height. The school uses spreadsheets to collect height data for every student and matches it with the appropriate desk and chair sizes. Class teachers then assign the matched desk and chair numbers to individual students. Additionally, the school re-surveying student heights at the beginning of each academic year; if a student shows rapid growth, the school will adjust the height of certain desks and chairs to better meet their personalized needs.
Starting last year, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, launched an initiative to improve classroom furniture in primary and secondary schools, ensuring that desk and chair heights are perfectly matched to students' height and sitting height. The initiative also encourages the provision of foldable, ergonomic lunchtime furniture for healthy midday breaks. Liu Shouqi, principal of Longquan Primary School in Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Fujian, noted that by allowing desks to be flexibly adjusted in terms of tilt based on each child’s unique height and weight, the furniture can better meet students’ individual needs.
The height of desks and chairs is crucial for children's healthy growth. Liu Jianye, associate chief physician of the Department of Orthopedics at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, notes that adolescence is a critical period for physical development, and poor posture can pose significant health risks to the spine. Clinically, he frequently treats patients who suffer from these issues.
Liu Jianye further explained that desks and chairs that are too high or too low can lead to poor posture, causing children to twist their bodies or hunch over while studying. This, in turn, puts extra strain on their spinal columns, increasing the risk of neck and lower-back fatigue—and in severe cases, even contributing to early-stage scoliosis, forward head posture, or winged shoulder alignment. Additionally, it may also elevate the likelihood of developing vision problems like myopia.
In addition to desk and chair height, Liu Jianye discovered during consultations that the design of the desk drawers is also causing trouble for some students. Because the drawers are too small, many students have no choice but to stand their backpacks upright against the back of their seats, leaving their lower backs unsupported and making it difficult to maintain a healthy sitting posture for extended periods. Moreover, the limited space beneath the drawers often forces students to sit sideways or even stretch their legs out beyond the desk, further encouraging poor posture.
Qian Hongdan, deputy director of the School and Food Hygiene Division at Wuxi City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explained that students' height and weight naturally change as they grow older and go through developmental stages—and these changes necessitate desks and chairs that are appropriately sized. A student's height serves as a key reference point when selecting the right desk and chair height. Generally speaking, the desk should be set at a height where, when the student is sitting with proper posture and arms hanging naturally, their elbows rest 3 to 4 centimeters below the tabletop. This ensures that students don’t have to lean forward excessively or crane their necks while studying, thereby reducing strain on their neck and spine—and ultimately helping to protect their eyesight as well.
Qian Hongdan pointed out that chair height is equally important—students should adjust it so their feet can rest flat on the floor, with knees bent at a slight angle just over 90 degrees, ensuring proper support for their lower limbs. We should continuously refine the design and craftsmanship of desks and chairs to create furniture that is not only more scientifically sound but also easier and more convenient for students to use. For instance, desks and chairs should be easily adjustable in height without requiring tools or professional assistance.
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