Classroom model with standard lighting and energy saving in Nghe An

School lightare essential for generations of students, especially primary and secondary school students. Unlike adults, students' eyes are very vulnerable to environmental factors. Poor lighting is one of the causes of school eye diseases such as reduced vision and refractive errors. According to research by agencies and organizations, in Vietnam, students aged 0 - 15 years old have eye diseases, mainly myopia, accounting for 15% - 20%, in large urban areas this rate is even higher.

Therefore, recently, the Energy Conservation Center under the Department of Industry and Trade of Nghe An has implemented the replacement and installation of classroom models that meet standard lighting and save energy in schools in the province. This practical work has brought standard and safe lighting to each classroom, contributing to protecting eyesight, reducing scoliosis, and not causing glare on the board for students, especially those in primary and secondary schools.

Classrooms with standard lighting at Dang Son Primary School, Do Luong district. Photo: PV

Before installation, the Center conducted a test of the lighting intensity, illuminance, and glare in the classroom. Checked the use of equipment, installation, lighting system layout, color of tables and chairs, floors, walls, classroom windows, and the rate of students with eye problems in the school... The survey results showed that the classroom had a structure of space, area, windows, paint color, andnatural lightingMost meet the regulations.

However, some schools, especially in rural and mountainous areas, have been degraded due to being built a long time ago, with stained walls and trees covering the windows, limiting natural light. Some schools do not have functional rooms, have narrow playgrounds, and trees block the light from the classrooms. Some schools do not have enough shade, causing glare.

Mr. Mai Anh Tuan - Deputy DirectorEnergy Saving Centersaid: Most classrooms have lighting systems installed on ceiling fans, so in the summer when using ceiling fans, the rotating fan will divide the light, causing eye strain. Meanwhile, the wiring system and electrical panels have degraded and are not safe. Most types of light bulbs currently used in schools are compact lamps and fluorescent lamps.

There are schools that are using incandescent lamps, each classroom is only arranged with 4-6 bulbs, which has affected the light of students. The Ministry of Health's requirement for classroom lighting is not less than 300 Lux. Survey results show that the rate of students with average eye problems increases with each grade level.

Mr. Mai Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of Nghe An Energy Conservation Center

Faced with that reality, the Center has replaced and installed 1-2 classroom model rooms in each school that meet standard lighting and save energy in Vinh city and districts and towns in the province. Based on the design of the school lighting model, the Center coordinated with the school and the construction consultant to replace and install the lighting system in the classroom that not only meets the prescribed school lighting standards but also has the meaning of converting to high-efficiency energy-using equipment.

Currently, there are 102 classroom models that meet standard lighting and save energy installed in the province. Photo: PV

From the standard lighting model as prescribed, no glare on the board, protect eyesight and contribute to reducing scoliosis for students that the Center has built, schools organize to replicate in the form of socialization. These classrooms will be designed neatly, illuminance guaranteed 300lx, light distribution evenly in the classroom, the darkest place is not less than 60% of 300lx. Use LED lights with durability equal to or higher than T8 fluorescent bulbs.

In 2021, the Center replaced and installed 102 classroom models that met standard lighting and saved energy in Vinh city and districts and towns in the province. It is expected that the models will be replicated in the following years so that students can receive standard lighting sources, contributing to improving learning efficiency.