A deep dive into furniture in an Indian school
When you look at things about school that would attract a student’s mind, furniture might seem like a factor that may not even come up once. Furniture is a factor around which student life revolves, seeing as it is where the students spend most of their time, leaving aside the corridor where many go to fulfill their target of their morning walk.
The most significant piece of furniture in a school is the student’s desk. This is where learning happens, and at The Millennium School, Amritsar campus, we have individual desks, tables, as well as pair desks and group computer tables.
Subsequent to talking with eight grader Tanya Chopra, she clearly knows what she doesn’t like. “All the desks are almost the same. Out of all the options we have neither is more comfortable over the other.”
And upon the question of what can be done to improve this, she comments, “Please change the back of the chairs so they don’t have the screws in the back to snag on our hair.”
Another issue that we got to hear about was the desks not having enough space, leading to things falling off of the tables.
On the other hand tenth grader Alakshendra Taneja, has a clear pick of which desk is more comfortable. He believes that it's the newest addition to the Millennium furniture family, i.e. the grey curved desks in grade ninth and tenth.
A similar view is also held by English teacher, Miss Maneet Kaur, on the desk options that students have.
Following the question “Would you consider the furniture in our school the best?” Inaaya from grade tenth says, “It might not be the best they could do but it is pretty good for what is.”
Our school may not be accommodating of all comfort needs of the students, but they are the best they can.
Beyond planning sessions and checking notebooks, assignment, and tests, teachers also need a place to stay when not teaching. The teachers' desks in the staff room are another big part of the school furniture. The staff rooms have wrap-around desks along two walls and a few desks placed around the middle. They create a comfortable place and a safe haven for teachers.
Apart from just furniture, decorating the furniture is also a major part of claiming your space as
Furniture is not just an accessory, but the silent poetry of a well-lived life, shaping our spaces and framing our stories.
Teachers get to decorate their designated areas however they please and whether they do or don’t decorate, it’s a decision totally up to them. Ms. Maneet says, “Personal touches on a teacher’s desk, especially on my desk keeps me going. Keeps me motivated.”
Even the students have taken a keen interest in the decorating part by using their pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. Students, armed with vivid imaginations and colorful pens, transform the boring school desks into canvases of creativity, etching dreams, doodles, and secret tales in vibrant chaos. Making it feel like personal sentiment or just to pass time. But whatever we say, a desk truly is a safe space for a student and a teacher.
A desk transforms into a sanctuary, where students and teachers alike find solace. Amidst vibrant notes and cherished books, it becomes a cocoon of creativity and learning, fostering dreams and nurturing potential.
Written by Pahul Singh Gill
Grade 10, The Millennium School, Amritsar