Editor’s Note: The student newspaper of Karns High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Opinions in the paper are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
For many students at Karns High School, the lack of desk accommodations in classrooms are hard to ignore. The small attached chair-desks, referred to by some students as “devil desks” have sparked conversations around campus. The standard desks aren’t new to Karns, but the frustration surrounding them hasn’t faded.
Some of these devil desk critics include: HOSA member Abigail Freeman, Band member Maggie Curran and AV Production student Brianna Cruz, along with many other students who encounter these desks daily. While they have been a staple in classrooms for years, students say the desks remain uncomfortable and more convenient than practical for student use.
“I don’t particularly like the desks,” Freeman said, “They’re uncomfortable, too small, and make the class feel and look more prison-like.”
These desks vary in many different ways, like height, space provided between the desk and the chair, the angle the desk is slanted, the space underneath the desk, and many more details. Freeman pointed out the space is very confined, making feel prison-like.
“[Students need] Just more room, there’s not a lot of room,” Curran said “Especially when you have your Chromebook and multiple papers on at the same time.”
For students juggling Chromebooks, notebooks and loose papers, the limited workspace has become especially frustrating. Curran pointed out that the desks make it difficult to manage basic classroom materials.
“I would go with the lab tables that they use in science as a substitute for the old desks,” Cruz said, “They are sturdy, and have enough room for comfort and space.”
Students say the issue goes beyond personal preference. The lack of space can make focusing and staying organized more difficult. What should be a space designed for learning instead feels cramped and restrictive. Some students, like Brianna Cruz, pose already existing alternatives.
Though these “devil desks” have been around for years, student’s opinions about them remain consistent. Many hope their concerns will eventually be taken into consideration, especially as classrooms evolve and rely more heavily on technology.
