Latest news with #Sreekuttan
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
TN to implement ‘Pa'-shaped seating arrangement
Chennai: Inspired by the Malayalam film 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', Tamil Nadu school education department has decided to implement a semi-circular seating arrangement (in the shape of the Tamil letter 'Pa') so that there are no 'backbenchers'. This will first be tried in govt middle schools and in classes with low student strength. "All chief educational officers are requested to instruct headmasters to arrange students' desks and chairs in a 'Pa' shape in the classroom, depending upon the strength and size of the classroom," a circular from the school education director said. Officials said it would be tested on a pilot basis in the 8,000 govt middle schools across the state. This new arrangement is likely to be difficult to follow in a class where the students' strength is more than 35. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan' revolves around backbencher Sreekuttan who challenges a frontbencher in school elections. He proposes the semi-circular seating to bridge student divide. In the end, his idea is adopted by the school, marking a shift in teaching. The 2024 movie, which was released recently on an OTT platform, has inspired many schools in Kerala to change their seating arrangement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [화제] 150cm엄마,170아빠 이거먹고 우리아이는 180cm됐습니다! 3개월만에8cm성장 더 알아보기 Undo Now, Tamil Nadu has followed suit. "Every student will have a clear view of the teacher and other students. The teacher can easily make eye contact with all students, improving engagement. It will also promote discussions, question and answer sessions, and peer learning," the circular from the school education director said. "This allows the teacher to walk into the centre of the classroom, making teaching more dynamic and interactive. It facilitates easy monitoring and support for all students. Students feel more involved and less isolated. Shy or quiet students are more likely to participate in a circular and inclusive learning," it said. It also said the new arrangement will be ideal for role plays, science experiments, and interactive lessons. "Classroom design isn't about the furniture. It's about fostering connection. This shape will do that beautifully. Every student will be in the front row. The best learning happens where no one hides, moreover, it brings everyone into the light of learning." Federation of Private School Associations, however, has asked govt to consider the new arrangement carefully before implementing it. "The arrangement can accommodate only a few students. It may strain the students to turn their heads to look at the blackboard, and also cause eye-related issues," said M Arumugam, president of the federation.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Backbenchers of yore? Schools' ‘class act' breaks the bench barrier
Kochi: The great Indian classroom divide between the first and last benchers is slowly being dismantled by at least a few schools in the state, by introducing a semi-circular or U-shaped seating arrangement. The new trend is aimed at fostering better interaction and inclusivity, doing away with the concept of backbenchers. The arrangement gained traction with the 2024 Malayalam movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan' that showcased it. The movie, the title of which translates to Candidate Sreekuttan, was a slice-of-life story set in an upper primary school in Thiruvananthapuram. It revolved around a backbencher, Sreekuttan, who challenges a frontbencher in school elections. The protagonist proposes a semi-circular seating arrangement to bridge the student divide during a science fair, and the school adopts his idea in the end, marking a shift in its teaching approach. "We screened the movie for transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar before its release, and he was impressed with the idea. He implemented it at Ramavilasam Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, where he is part of the school management," said Vinesh Viswanath, the film's director. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ingin Tahu Tentang Diagnosis Limfoma? Dapatkan Info Selengkapnya Limfoma Baca Undo The debutant director said several schools had adopted the seating formot after the film's release on OTT platforms. "At least seven schools in the state and one in Punjab have introduced the arrangement in their classrooms. We never expected such a social impact and we're happy the movie is being discussed at the national level," Viswanath said. Sunil P Sekhar, principal of RVHSS, said in a typical classroom, students at the back often felt left out. "Teachers unintentionally focus more on those in the front. But with this layout, every student becomes part of the core. We've seen more participation, improved teacher-student interaction and a sense of equality among students," he said. Amruth G Kumar, a professor at the school of education, Central University of Kerala, said in the modern era, a U-shaped seating format carried greater significance, but with a caveat. "When benches were first demarcated into rows, it was considered a progressive design suited to the increasing student enrolments of the 19th century," he said. Kumar said the row-based arrangement was not intended to marginalise backbenchers as it allowed space for teachers to move around and interact with all students. "However, when tools like blackboards and smart screens were installed at one end of the room and teachers' movement became restricted, the format began to exclude many students from active engagement," he said. It is to be seen if the trend would gain further momentum, but teachers in schools that have adopted the new arrangement assert that a simple change in furniture has led to improved focus, better posture and a clutter-free, engaging learning experience.
