Latest news with #SthanarthiSreekuttan
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Kerala schools opt for U-shaped classroom seating; Anand Mahindra says 'will miss backbench' and here's why
Anand Mahindra reacts after a few Kerala classrooms adopt U-shaped seating arrangements. (Left image used for representative purpose only) In a move that's sparking both curiosity and nostalgia, Kerala schools are set to say goodbye to the age-old tradition of backbenchers. The state is introducing a new U-shaped seating arrangement in classrooms, designed to place teachers at the center—literally and figuratively—ensuring that no student is left behind (or in the back). The idea is to make classrooms more inclusive, eliminating the back rows that often turn into zones of distraction or neglect. But as this model catches the nation's attention, it has also stirred emotions among those who once proudly wore the 'backbencher' badge—most notably, industrialist Anand Mahindra. The Mahindra Group Chairman took to social media to share his take on the innovative seating layout. Calling it an "intriguing experiment," Mahindra acknowledged its potential to encourage more balanced participation and focused learning. But he also couldn't hide a tinge of wistfulness as he reminisced about his own love for the back row. In his school days, Mahindra revealed, he gravitated toward the back of the class—sometimes by choice, sometimes not. College gave him the freedom to make the 'skydeck' (as it was called in business school) his preferred spot. For him, the backbench was more than a location—it was a mental escape, a place to think deeply, even if not always about the lecture at hand. Kerala's new U-shaped classroom model, where students sit around the teacher with no designated backbencher, is inspired by the 2024 Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan. The idea was first implemented at Ramavilasam VHSS in Valakom after the film impressed the state transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar. Director Vinesh Viswanath revealed that at least eight schools in Kerala and one in Punjab have since adopted the setup, which promotes inclusivity, echoing the film's message of bridging classroom divides through semi-circular seating. — anandmahindra (@anandmahindra) The internet had mixed reactions to Kerala's decision to do away with backbenches in classrooms. Some users applauded the move, saying it would level the playing field and encourage equal participation, with every student now getting centre stage. Others felt the change could sacrifice the creative freedom and quiet observation often found in the back rows. A few voiced ergonomic concerns, arguing that the U-shaped layout might strain students' necks. Several users also defended backbenchers, calling them quiet thinkers who often go on to lead from the front in life. One user shared that Anand Mahindra's post resonated deeply, calling the backbencher vibe an emotional experience. He praised the concept of a U-shaped classroom, calling it an innovative Indian billionaire Harsh Goenka couldn't resist reacting to the news but in a humorous style. Taking to X, he joked that he was thankful he didn't attend school in Kerala, where backbenchers have now been abolished. That, he said, was always his permanent spot—perfect for sneaking in a nap, doodling, or secretly enjoying a samosa. ( Originally published on Jul 12, 2025 )
Time of India
7 hours ago
- General
- 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.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
From Screen To Classroom: How A Malayalam Movie Inspired A Kerala School's Innovative Seating
A government school in Kerala has caught national attention for reshaping classroom dynamics, quite literally. Moving away from the age-old idea of "backbenchers," Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kollam, has introduced a new seating system where every student sits in the front row, reports PTI. Seats are now placed along all four walls of the classroom, ensuring equal visibility and access to the teacher for each child. The idea was sparked by a scene from the recent Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, where a Class 7 student proposes the layout after being mocked for sitting at the back. "It was his experience of being insulted sitting on the backbench that gave him such an idea. I never thought it would get such attention. It is not an idea created by us, but we did have such a seating arrangement earlier in classrooms, as part of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), and we had lost it somewhere in between," Vinesh Viswanathan, director of the film, told PTI. "I got a message that a school in Punjab has also adopted it after the principal saw the movie on the OTT platform. He also screened the movie for the students. I am happy that it got national attention," he added. The model gained early support from Kerala's Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar, whose family runs RMVHSS. Having previewed the film a year before its release, the Minister initiated discussions with the school staff and introduced the new layout in one primary class. The results were so encouraging that the system is now in place across all lower primary sections of the school. Sunil P. Sekhar, the headmaster, said that it allows them to give equal attention to every child and breaks the stereotype of backbenchers being neglected or distracted. "I am able to attend to each of the students in the classroom and give better care to each of them. The students are also happy as they see the faces of all students in the classroom and pay close attention to the teacher," said veteran teacher Meera, who has nearly 30 years of experience. The concept has now spread to at least eight other schools in Kerala and is also being noticed by educators elsewhere in India. While some critics on social media question its feasibility in overcrowded classrooms, Viswanathan counters that such conditions go against school norms, and authorities are taking note. Interestingly, Anand Mahindra even reacted positively to the idea on social media, calling it a welcome move, despite admitting he is fond of the "backbencher" identity. As RVHSS celebrates former student G. P. Nandana's remarkable feat, securing rank 2 in Kerala and 47 nationwide in the Civil Services Exam, it is also earning praise for this bold and thoughtful innovation in education.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kerala school adopts new seating model to eliminate backbenchers in class
At Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kollam district, a unique educational innovation is reshaping classroom dynamics. Inspired by a scene from the Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the school has implemented a new seating arrangement that completely removes the concept of "backbenchers", giving every student equal visibility and new layout positions individual student desks along all four walls of the classroom, forming a square-like arrangement where everyone is essentially in the 'front row.' Initially introduced in RVHSS's lower primary classes, the model has quickly gained traction and praise, with eight other schools in Kerala and even one in Punjab adopting SPARKS A CHANGE IN CLASSROOMSDirector Vinesh Viswanathan, who helmed Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, said the idea shown briefly in the film was not entirely fictional. 'It was inspired by real experiences and practices we had seen in the past, especially during the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) years,' he said. The film depicted a Class 7 student proposing the new seating model after feeling left out as a backbencher, a moment that clearly resonated with educators and audiences alike. Vinesh shared that a school principal in Punjab watched the film on an OTT platform, introduced the layout, and even screened the movie for students, leading to further interest 'S VISION FUELS IMPLEMENTATIONThe transformation at RMVHSS was also catalysed by Kerala minister K B Ganesh Kumar, whose family manages the school. After previewing the film before its release, he discussed the idea with faculty and encouraged its pilot implementation in one classroom. Following overwhelmingly positive feedback, the model was extended to all lower primary classes.'We noticed improved student engagement and better teacher-student interaction,' said RMVHSS headmaster Sunil P Sekhar. 'The format not only eliminated backbench-related stigma but also helped teachers monitor all students more effectively.'TEACHERS PRAISE THE SHIFTMeera, a lower primary school teacher with nearly three decades of experience, shared her enthusiasm for the change. 'This setup allows me to connect with every child in the classroom. The students too seem more attentive and feel included,' she observed that students, especially in the formative years, benefited from direct teacher engagement and an inclusive classroom environment. They also highlighted that similar models are widely practised in countries like Finland and Norway, where student-centric classroom designs and lower student-teacher ratios are the REACTIONS AND WIDER CONVERSATIONSWhile the initiative has largely been met with appreciation, including a supportive tweet from business leader Anand Mahindra, it has also sparked debate. Some older students on social media questioned the feasibility of the model in overcrowded classrooms, citing issues of space. Responding to such concerns, Vinesh pointed out that classrooms with 80 students violate norms and should not exist under current educational minor criticism, the model's growing popularity signals a broader shift in how classrooms are being reimagined — prioritising inclusion, engagement, and student well-being over outdated more schools express interest in adopting this approach, Kerala could well lead a quiet revolution in reshaping not just where students sit, but how they learn.(With PTI inputs)- EndsTune InMust Watch
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
No backbenchers : This Kerala school has introduced new seating arrangements for classrooms
In a corner of South Kerala, a school is rewriting the rules of classroom dynamics — and it's catching the nation's eye. Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, is experimenting to remove the idea of backbenchers but introducing a new seating arrangement for the classrooms. Influenced by a Malayalam movie, 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', the school has brought in an innovative seating arrangement. The school has done away with traditional rows of benches, replacing them with single rows aligned along the four walls of the classroom. In this set-up, every child becomes a frontbencher — and every voice counts. Eight schools in Kerala have already adopted this seating arrangement, and even a school in Punjab has adopted it, as mentioned news agency, PTI. 'I got a message that a school in Punjab has also adopted it after the principal saw the movie on the OTT platform. He also screened the movie for the students. I am happy that it got national attention,' Vinesh Viswanathan, director of the movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', told PTI. He said the movie had just one scene showing this arrangement, as an idea implemented by a 7th standard student in the film. 'It was his experience of being insulted sitting on the backbench that gave him such an idea. I never thought it would get such attention. It is not an idea created by us, but we did have such a seating arrangement earlier in classrooms, as part of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), and we had lost it somewhere in between,' Vinesh said. The headmaster of the school, Sunil P Sekhar, told the news agency that this system enabled teachers to give equal attention to all students in the classroom and helped them monitor the students better. Moreover, it eliminated the concept of backbenchers and put all students at the forefront. He said many more schools have now shown interest in adopting this model. 'Lower primary classes are where students learn a lot of new things, and they naturally get rid of the concept or taboo of sitting on the backbenches. It also helps students to have a more direct interaction with the teachers,' he added. He said even Anand Mahindra has tweeted, saying it is a welcome move, though he personally likes the concept of backbenchers. (with inputs from PTI)
