The decision has been made after medicals tests have revealed that the desks and chairs currently used by schoolchildren are harmful to their spines and muscles.

The new chair is to be one with arm rests, says Thissa Hewavithana, the Secretary of the State Ministry of Education.·

The measure is to be implemented for Grades 04 and 05 from next year onwards, before focusing on Grade 9,10 during the second phase and moving into other grades.

He added that around Rs. 1500 million would be needed to make the desks and chairs for Grade 4 and 5.