Vietnam has new regulations for schools effective August 1st regarding desks, primarily for safety reasons and to provide an environment conducive to learning.

The regulations, agreed to by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Health Ministry, would be applied to all primary, secondary, high schools and education agencies with physically normal students.

Desks can have no more than two students, must be separated by chairs and have comfortable space for the students to put their things.

Different sizes of desks in one classroom are allowed, depending on the students’ height and weight, and the classroom can have chairs or stools depending on the childrens’ ages.

The circular outlined six sets of desks and chairs to be used depending on the height of the students.

Desks and chairs must be made from safe, firm, smooth materials, said the circular, which also makes regulations on the distance between the first desk to the blackboard to make sure that children in front desks have a proper view of the board. 

Schools must change desks and chairs that don’t adhere to the guidelines by the beginning of August.

Many schools below college level in Vietnam, especially in the rural areas, use long desks with four to five children sitting together.