All public and private schools will be mandated to provide neutral desks to students based on a new law signed by President Duterte.
Republic Act No. 11394, also known as the “Mandatory Provision of Neutral Desks in Educational Institutions Act,” aims to address the needs of left-handed students and promote equal development of students.
The new law defines a neutral desk as a table or armchair suitable for both right-handed and left-handed students.
“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-build and sell promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the equal development of students, including those who are left-handed,” the law said.
“Towards this end, the State shall require education institutions to provide appropriate armchairs to address the needs of the left-handed student population,” it added.
Under the law, the educational institutions must provide neutral desks equivalent to 10 percent of the student population within a year from the effectivity of the law. “Henceforth, said institutions are mandated to provide neutral desks to all students,” it added.
The law, signed by the President last Aug. 22, will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper.
The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development have been directed to formulate the rules and regulations including administrative penalties for non-compliance of the law. (Genalyn Kabiling)
