By Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
MANILA — All educational institutions will soon be required to provide classroom chairs specially designed for left-handed students.
This, as the bill institutionalizing such requirement has hurdled final reading at the House of Representatives.
During Monday’s plenary session, lawmakers unanimously approved with 207 affirmative votes House Bill 8654, which mandates public and private educational institutions to provide the appropriate armchairs to left-handed students.
The left-handed armchairs provided must be equivalent to at least 10 percent of the student population.
The bill aims to promote the equal development of students, including those who are left-handed.
Antipolo City Rep. Cristina Roa-Puno, the author of the bill, explained that currently, left-handed students have no choice but to use right-handed armchairs.
Roa-Puno, who is also left-handed herself, cited a study which stated that no less than 10 percent of the world population is left-handed.
Currently, the Department of Education (DepEd) provides two left-handed armchairs for every 40 to 45 students in public schools in the elementary, junior, and senior high schools.
“That’s five percent of the student population in public elementary and high schools, while the private schools are left wanting for left-handed armchairs,” Roa-Puno said.
