FLAT TABLES FOR SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1929, Page 14

FLAT TABLES FOR SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT’S VIEWS WANTED' DESKS TO BE SLOWLY REPLACED, “That this board is of opinion that the manufacture of dual desks should cease and in all • cases where new schools and new equipment are being provided there should be single flat tables and chairs; that the board’s architect be instructed to submit models of a suitable type as a standard for adoption by the board, and that thia resolution be forwarded to the departi nient in order to secure its views on the' subject,’’ was a resolution passed at a meeting of the 'Taranaki Education Board in New Plymouth yesterday. • Dr. W. M. Thomson, in moving the motion, said every senior teacher he had consulted had enthusiastically, supported the use of tables and chairi instead of desks. He contended their adoption would aid considerably in maintaining discipline and would obviate the possibility of a youngster with a strong character sitting next to a weaker one. The tables also made for greater ease in cleaning rooms and in the illustrations in the new syllabus were shown.

Tables and chairs would be used by the children after they left school, and many things were more easil) dona on tables than on the present type of desks, while the position of the children was a healthier one. It would not be possible to accommodate quite so many pupils in a room and this might help to have some of the present very large ‘classes reduced. . The cost of tables and chairs would be a little *

more than desks. He thought. the department’s approval of the proposal could be obtained.

It was stated by the board’s architect, Mr. C. H. Moore, that the same seating accommodation could not be obtained with tables and chairs. The infants, however, had little single lockei decks. It was undoubtedly a thing than was desirable and he suggested that the table tops should be slightly sloped. “It is a matter well worth going into,” said Mr. A. Lees, “and I do not think the board should manufacture any more desks. In future the new furniture should consist of tables and chairs which will, as the opportunity arises, replace the desks.” The senior inspector, Mr. N. R. McKenzie, said in his American rambles he had seen only one school with double desks. The .majority had tables with adjustable seats. The seating was a vital question and. should be gone into scientifically, and he suggested the architect should go into the question of providing a small adjustable seat. “No modern office is ever equipped with sloping desks and I think the board should cease their manufacture,” said Mr. P. J. H. White. That type of desk served no purpose and for some classes of work was detrimental.