Kerala To Eliminate Classroom 'Backbenchers', Form Panel To Decide Seating Arrangement
The idea of eliminating backbenchers has been discussed in Kerala for some time, inspired by the Malayalam film "Sthanarthi Sreekuttan."
Backbenchers in Kerala's state-run schools will soon be a thing of the past, as the state plans to abolish traditional row-wise seating due to its negative impact on students.
General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced on Tuesday that the government aims to eliminate the concept of 'backbenchers' in classrooms.
In a Facebook post, he revealed that the general education department has decided to form an expert panel to determine the best seating arrangement for the education system.
'It has been decided to appoint a committee of experts to find out the best model suitable for our education system. Let us consider the suggestions of this panel and move forward," the minister posted.
Sivankutty emphasised that the concept of backbenchers can harm a student's confidence and learning, and that no child should be left behind in their studies or life.
'Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for all children. We are thinking about how to make this happen," he explained.
He noted that many countries have adopted different models to eliminate the concept of backbenchers, and he called for everyone's support in securing a better future for the children.
The idea of eliminating backbenchers has been discussed in Kerala for some time, inspired by the Malayalam film 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan." In the film directed by Vinesh Viswanathan, a school student suggests changing the traditional seating arrangement after facing humiliation as a backbencher.
Inspired by the movie, some schools in the state have already adopted a U-shaped seating pattern, ensuring equal attention and prominence for all students. Vinesh Vishwanathan, the director of the Malayalam film 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', had earlier said that he received a message from a school principal in Punjab. After watching the film, the principal not only adopted this classroom model in his school but also screened the movie for all the students.
Meanwhile, in Rama Vilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVGHSS) in Kerala, the students' chairs have already been arranged in a U shape. This setup allows teachers to monitor every student equally, eliminating the traditional backbencher system. With this new classroom arrangement, every student has the chance to sit in the front row.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Trump Rules Out Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting As Prerequisite For US-Russia Talks
Trump also addressed the White House-imposed deadline for Moscow to pause its conflict in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days, according to multiple reports. The potential meeting has generated significant speculation, particularly around whether Putin would first hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump has now dismissed those rumours, stating clearly that a prior meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders is not a prerequisite for US-Russia discussions. When asked whether Putin would need to meet with Zelenskyy before engaging in talks with the United States, Trump responded unequivocally, 'No, he doesn't. No." Trump also addressed the White House-imposed deadline for Moscow to pause its conflict in Ukraine or face new US sanctions. When pressed on what action he might take as the deadline nears on Friday he said, 'It's going to be up to him. We're going to see what he has to say." The President added, 'Very disappointed. I don't like long waits. I think it's a shame." Russia's deputy UN Ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, echoed the sentiment that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is unlikely before any engagement with Trump. 'I haven't heard about any meeting planned, but I am not in the loop," he told reporters. While the exact location of the anticipated Trump-Putin meeting has yet to be confirmed, reports suggest it could take place next week in the United Arab Emirates. President Putin has expressed optimism about the potential meeting. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that logistical details were still being finalised. This would mark the first official meeting between the two leaders since Trump assumed office for his second term. The last formal US-Russia presidential meeting occurred in June 2021, when President Vladimir Putin met with then-President Joe Biden in Geneva. Meanwhile, Ukraine has emphasised the importance of European involvement in any peace negotiations. President Zelenskyy recently stated, 'Europe must be a participant in the relevant processes. The war is happening in Europe, and Ukraine is an integral part of Europe." According to a report by The New York Times, Trump has already briefed several European leaders on his intention to meet with Putin. The meeting may eventually lead to a broader trilateral summit involving Zelenskyy. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Construction Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center
Judge Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, announced the order in court. A federal judge has issued a temporary order halting further construction of 'Alligator Alcatraz," a controversial immigration detention center being built in the Florida Everglades. The decision, handed down on Thursday by US District Judge Kathleen M. Williams, temporarily pauses all new construction activity for at least 14 days, according to the Associated Press. Judge Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, announced the order in court and stated that a written ruling would be issued later in the day. While the facility is allowed to continue operating in its current form and can still hold immigration detainees, the order blocks any ongoing development on the site. The temporary restraining order specifically states that 'new construction, including filling, paving, installation of new infrastructure, and installation of new lighting, must stop immediately." The legal battle over the detention center began when several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against both federal and state officials, claiming that construction at the site violates key environmental protections. The plaintiffs requested a temporary restraining order 'to prevent further irreparable harm to Plaintiffs and the fragile area where Defendants are building this detention center." However, according to a Miami Herald report, multiple environmental experts have warned that additional construction could irreversibly damage the surrounding ecosystem, disrupt native wildlife habitats, and set a dangerous precedent for development in protected wetland regions. The plaintiffs intend to continue pursuing the broader lawsuit, which was initially filed on June 27. Eve Samples, executive director at Friends of the Everglades, voiced her support for the ruling in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. 'We look forward to advancing our ultimate goal of protecting the unique and imperiled Everglades ecosystem from further damage caused by this mass detention facility," she said. The facility, often dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz," is located on a decommissioned airstrip west of Miami. It gets its nickname from the swampland that surrounds it, an area inhabited by native alligators, crocodiles, pythons, and other sensitive species. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Netanyahu Calls For Full Gaza Control; Hamas Slams Move As "Coup" Amid Ceasefire Talks
The militant group accused Netanyahu of exploiting the conflict for personal and ideological gain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for complete military control over the Gaza Strip, a statement made during his interview with Fox News on Thursday. The remarks come amid renewed discussions around a possible ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. However, Netanyahu's comments have drawn swift and sharp criticism from Hamas, which labelled the move as 'a coup." The militant group accused Netanyahu of exploiting the conflict for personal and ideological gain. In an official statement, Hamas said, 'Netanyahu's plans to escalate the aggression confirm beyond any doubt his desire to get rid of the captives and sacrifice them in pursuit of his personal interests and extremist ideological agenda." Further condemning the plan, Hamas accused Israel of continuing a systematic campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, reported Reuters. 'What he is planning is a continuation of a policy of genocide and forced displacement, through the perpetration of further crimes against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," the statement read. Netanyahu, in his interview, argued that Israel's intention is to dismantle Hamas's control and restore security. 'We intend to [take control of Gaza], in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza," he said. Irish Independent. Meanwhile, a Jordanian official, speaking to Reuters, reiterated that Arab countries will support only those outcomes that are agreed upon by the Palestinian people. 'Arab countries would only support what Palestinians agree and decide on," the official said. Netanyahu convened his security cabinet on Thursday to discuss the situation and also held a three-hour meeting with the head of the Israeli military earlier this week, underlining the seriousness of the ongoing operations. The current war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Although there were indirect negotiations in recent months aimed at a ceasefire and hostage release, those talks collapsed in late July. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
