Title : Design and development of multi functional school furniture
Abstract:
This study presents the development and evaluation of the Silyang Pinoy prototype, an innovative enhancement of Department of Education(DepEd) in the Philippines existing school chair and desk designs, integrating a versatile bed feature for use during calamities. The prototypes include four models: elementary chair, elementary table, secondary chair, and secondary table, constructed from metal square tubes, composite boards, and locally sourced engineered bamboo boards to ensure cost alignment with DepEd standards.
Strength and durability assessments, conducted at the Department of Science and Techology – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) Furniture Testing Center in the Philippines following PNS ISO 7173:2006 standards, confirmed the prototypes' structural integrity. Field testing was carried out in strategically selected schools in the Philippines specifically in the province of Camiguin, Palawan, and Apayao, these regions noted for bamboo utilization and serving as disaster shelters. Survey evaluations by 182 students assessed the prototypes' ergonomics, functionality, and acceptability.
Results indicated high acceptability for elementary students, particularly in quality, durability, and comfort, although secondary students reported the need for enhancements in strength and ergonomics to accommodate greater physical demands. Specific findings from the three provinces highlighted consistent performance for elementary users, while secondary users emphasized areas for improvement to withstand intensive use.
Cost analysis demonstrated significant savings compared to DepEd’s pricing, with reductions ranging from 17.52% to 21.76%. The study also included promotional activities, training sessions, and participation in national exhibitions to foster support and partnerships for wider implementation.
Overall, the Silyang Pinoy prototype shows promise as a cost-effective, multifunctional school furniture solution, particularly for elementary use, with recommendations for further enhancements to meet the needs of secondary students effectively.
