Ganjam school makes students sit in a semi-circle
erhampur: An upper primary school at Bhabinipur in Ganjam district has introduced a new seating system for students which attempts to ensure there is no front- or back-bencher.
Instead of traditional seats or benches placed one after another in a row, the school authorities made the students sit in a semicircle, while the teacher is in the centre of the classroom.
"With the direction of Rangeilunda block education officer (BEO) Debendra Behera and assistance from sarpanch (Bhabinipur) Ranjit Sahu, we have adopted the new seating pattern in all classes from I to VII," said headmistress Puspita Panigrahy.
"We didn't face any problem implementing the new seating pattern as there are adequate benches and space in the classrooms. Students are also getting an opportunity to be close to the teacher," she said.
"This has also removed the stereotype of some students being called backbenchers," said Sahu, after getting feedback from children.
"After coming across the seating pattern in some Kerala schools, we asked the heads of all schools in the block to adopt it.
Several other schools, including two upper primary ones in Berhampur and another school at Golanthara, have also implemented the new seating arrangement," Behera said.
"Every student will get equal access to the teacher. It will also help teachers to identify if some student indulges in indiscipline," he added.
Several schools in Kerala adopted the semicircle seating pattern inspired by a Malayalam movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', directed by Vinesh Viswanath, which was released last year.
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Classrooms without backbenchers: With new sitting format, schools stand out
"Backbenchers, come sit in the front."If I had a rupee for every time a school teacher said that, I'd have saved enough to pay part of my college fee. Perennial backenchers like me would have memories, both fond and forgetable. But the times, they are a-changin'. Long seen as a comfort zone for some and a punishment for others, backbenches in schools could be on their way to becoming obsolete. That's to demolish the sitting hierarchy and making classrooms more a quiet but growing shift across states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal, schools are rethinking how children sit. And the push isn't coming from top-down academic research or classroom reformers. It began with a scene from a Malayalam children's film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan. The movie, which questions the divide between frontbenchers and backbenchers, features a seventh-grade student suggesting a simple but powerful change: rearrange the single scene has now snowballed into a wider conversation about shifting not just the backbencher but also the seating system a cue from the film, Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kottarakkara, in South Kerala, decided to try out the before we go into how the seating system is changing, let's first look at how it DID THE FRONTBENCHER AND BACKBENCHER SYSTEM START?The traditional row-and-column classroom seating originated from the 19th-century Prussian education system. The Prussian government wanted to standardise education across its growing by military precision, they introduced a rigid classroom not born in the Industrial Revolution, this model aligned perfectly with its factory logic and was formalised in schools across schools began to mimic factory layouts, students sat in straight lines, facing forward, trained to follow instructions rather than question row-wise sitting allowed one teacher to control large classrooms efficiently, monitor behaviour, and deliver one-way India, the frontbencher–backbencher divide took root during the British colonial education in the colonial era was a means to produce compliant clerks, administrators, and interpreters of the empire's will. The row-column layout fit this agenda perfectly: it discouraged collaboration, promoted silence, and ensured that teachers remained the sole ROWS AND COLUMNS TO U-SHAPED SEATING IN CLASSROOMDesks in the Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVSS) in Kerala were placed along the four walls of the classroom in a U- or V-shape, turning every seat into a "front row"."Minister Ganesh Kumar discussed this with us after watching a preview of Sreekuttan, a year before its release," Sunil P Sekhar, headmaster of RVHSS, told began with just one class. The results were overwhelmingly positive. We introduced it to all lower primary sections."Sekhar said the change allowed teachers to give equal attention to every student and monitor them better. More importantly, it removed the invisible wall that backbenchers often sit behind, both physically and in terms of engagement."It's especially helpful in primary classes, where students are still learning how to learn," he a lower primary teacher with 29 years of experience, called it "the most rewarding shift" she's seen in her teaching career."There's more eye contact, more involvement. The quieter students open up," she BENGAL, TAMIL NADU AND PUNJAB: NO BACKBENCHERSThe idea is now being tried out in Tamil state's School Education Department recently encouraged schools to experiment with a 'Pa'-shaped seating arrangement— named after the Tamil letter — under the belief that "engagement begins with arrangement".An education department official from Tamil Nadu confirmed the shift."We've encouraged schools to try the idea depending on classroom size and student strength. It doesn't need new infrastructure, just a new way of thinking," the official idea travelled to not just neighbouring Tamil Nadu but further West Bengal's Malda, the century-old Barlow Girls' High School in Englishbazar became the first school in the district to adopt the 'No More Backbencher' by Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, and encouraged by state education officials, the school conducted three pilot sessions for Class VII — one each in mathematics, history, and work education."In conventional classrooms, those at the back struggle to see the board or follow the discussion," said headmistress Deepasri Majumdar. "But in this setup, all 55 students were attentive, asked questions, and interacted. That kind of engagement is rare."The school replaced traditional rows with a semi-circular or horseshoe-shaped arrangement, making sure every student could see and face the district's school inspector, Banibrata Das, who was present during the rollout, said the results spoke for themselves."Sreekuttan moved us. It's a simple idea, but the impact is deep," Das sentiment has caught on in parts of Punjab as well. A school that screened the film reportedly introduced the new seating layout based on its states, at least eight schools in Kerala and several others in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab are now tryingout the model in some form or the ARE PEOPLE SAYING ON CHANGED CLASSROOMS?Some people from other states too sought that a similar system be introduced there."No more backbenchers! Inspired by a Malayalam film, Kerala schools are adopting a U-shaped seating model to ensure every child gets equal attention. A simple shift with a powerful impact on inclusion, learning & confidence. Time for all state governments to implement this," wrote VV Lakshmi Narayana, former joint director of the others reacted to the news with humour and nostalgia."Thank goodness I didn't go to school in Kerala- they've abolished backbenchers! That was my permanent seat. Where would I have hidden my quick nap, my doodles, my secret samosa?," wrote industrialist, Harsh others said removing the last bench would not remove backbenchers, which is a mindset.- Ends
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala schools replace backbenches with U-shaped classroom seating; internet has mixed feelings about this
Source: Wikipedia Kerala's education system is making headlines by transforming traditional classroom seating, moving away from the familiar 'backbencher' culture to adopt innovative U-shaped seating arrangements. This fresh approach places students around the teacher in a semi-circular layout, designed to promote inclusivity, equal participation, and better student engagement. As Kerala schools rethink classroom design, the change has sparked lively discussions across social media—some celebrating the move as a step toward democratic and focused learning, while others express nostalgia for the creative freedom once found in back rows. How u-shaped classroom seating promotes inclusivity and participation In this new setup, desks are arranged in a U-formation, encircling the teacher at the centre. The idea is to promote equal participation by ensuring all students have direct visibility of the teacher—and vice versa. Advocates say this arrangement reduces classroom hierarchies, encourages engagement, and discourages distractions that often develop at the back of the room. Inspired by a Malayalam film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the initiative was first rolled out at a government school in Valakom and has since been adopted by other institutions across Kerala and even one in Punjab. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia acima de 100? Tente esse truque antes de dormir Revista Saúde+Você Undo Educators say the semi-circular layout supports inclusive learning, breaking down physical and psychological divides in the classroom. Internet reacts to Kerala's backbench ban in classrooms The move has triggered a flurry of responses across social media. Some users praised Kerala's education department for encouraging student equality and active engagement, especially in public schools where disparities in learning environments are more pronounced. Others, however, felt nostalgic about the back rows—long considered a haven for quiet thinkers, introverts, or students seeking a mental break. One popular post noted that while the new setup promotes visibility and attention, it might limit the creative freedom that backbenchers once enjoyed. Several users raised concerns about ergonomics too, suggesting that a constant sideways orientation could lead to discomfort during long hours. Kerala's u-shaped seating shifts classroom culture Many online commentators agreed that the shift represents more than just a new furniture layout—it signals a broader cultural change in how schools approach student engagement. By physically removing the 'back' of the class, these schools are making a symbolic gesture toward flattening academic hierarchies, pushing for a more democratic learning environment. Research conducted at SLTP Negeri 2 Pematang Raya demonstrated the effectiveness of U-shaped seating for classroom discussions, especially in speaking classes with first-grade students. The study found that this arrangement helped teachers give clear instructions, monitor students easily, and interact better during discussions. Over 77% of students expressed positive responses, stating they liked and felt comfortable with the U-shaped seating setup. This evidence supports Kerala's move to adopt U-shaped classrooms as a proven strategy to increase participation and engagement. While debates continue, there's no denying that Kerala's U-shaped classroom initiative has sparked interest, curiosity, and a fair bit of nostalgia. Whether or not other states follow suit, it's clear this classroom experiment has made people think—about how we learn, where we sit, and the roles those choices play in shaping educational experiences. Also Read: 8 animals that hibernate in the summer
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Ganjam school makes students sit in a semi-circle
B erhampur: An upper primary school at Bhabinipur in Ganjam district has introduced a new seating system for students which attempts to ensure there is no front- or back-bencher. Instead of traditional seats or benches placed one after another in a row, the school authorities made the students sit in a semicircle, while the teacher is in the centre of the classroom. "With the direction of Rangeilunda block education officer (BEO) Debendra Behera and assistance from sarpanch (Bhabinipur) Ranjit Sahu, we have adopted the new seating pattern in all classes from I to VII," said headmistress Puspita Panigrahy. "We didn't face any problem implementing the new seating pattern as there are adequate benches and space in the classrooms. Students are also getting an opportunity to be close to the teacher," she said. "This has also removed the stereotype of some students being called backbenchers," said Sahu, after getting feedback from children. "After coming across the seating pattern in some Kerala schools, we asked the heads of all schools in the block to adopt it. Several other schools, including two upper primary ones in Berhampur and another school at Golanthara, have also implemented the new seating arrangement," Behera said. "Every student will get equal access to the teacher. It will also help teachers to identify if some student indulges in indiscipline," he added. Several schools in Kerala adopted the semicircle seating pattern inspired by a Malayalam movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', directed by Vinesh Viswanath, which was released last year.
