THE ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL PERFORMANCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Abstract

For the practical aspect, The site walk through and site measurements by using Lux meter on lighting were carried out in two mock-up classrooms of an existing primary school. Assessments were carried out to examine the current condition of lighting system and the lighted environment. The results showed that the existing lighting does not meet the criteria of good quality lighting. Proposed designs to improve the visual performance involve selection of luminaries consists of housing with louvre, electronic ballast and good colour rendition of light source, reduction of the discomfort glare from the chalkboard and whiteboard, increasing the illuminance and enhancing the evenness of the light distribution. With the alterations made on the original design, the average illuminances on the horizontal and vertical planes have been improved and conformed to the recommended values. The illuminance uniformity based on the calculated values of the ratio of minimum to average illuminance also satisfied the minimum requirements. Schools were informed of the Visual performance awareness and were advised to follow up with practice. Installing good luminaires without maintaining them regularly will also affect the illuminance distribution and its uniformity. Therefore it is necessary to have a regular cleaning of the luminaries and the group relamping of the light source at scheduled intervals. It is also recommended that the illumination level of the classrooms and other teaching facilities be checked on the yearly routine basis, to verify that the illumination levels are complied with the guidelines. Based on the feedback through survey, it can be seen that the proposed designs have improved the visual performance of the students in the mock-up rooms. However, the study and survey done in the mock-up rooms require a long-term basis to ascertain that the visual performance will be improved and the myopia rate will be reduced significantly. In conclusions, the success of good visual performance not only depends on ligthing, but must also incorporated with good practices of the visual performance awareness such as early detection of the defective vision with the routine eye check; correct choice of furniture; proper use of audio visual aids; proper selection of print and reading materials; and proper use of the chalkboard/whiteboard.