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Duterte signs law requiring ‘neutral desks’ for students

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law requiring schools to provide neutral desks to address the needs of left-handed students.

Under Republic Act No. 11394 or the Mandatory Provision of Neutral Desks in Educational Institutions Act– Both private and public schools are required to provide neutral desks or armchairs suitable for both right-handed and left-handed students.

“It shall be obligatory for all educational institutions, both public and private, that make use of armchairs in the classroom to provide neutral desks to all students,” the law stated.

The law orders schools to have neutral desks for at least 10 percent of the school population within a year after the implementation of the measure.

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

Staff Report

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