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KOCHI: The great Indian classroom divide between frontbenchers and backbenchers is being bridged in some Kerala schools by introducing a semi-circle seating arrangement that seemingly reduces the degrees of separation between teachers and students.The idea, inspired by the 2024 Malayalam movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', is meant to initiate better interactions and inclusivity, including doing away with the cross of "backbencher" that many students bear for a lifetime."Before its release, we had shown the movie to state transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar. He was impressed with the idea and implemented it in Ramavilasam Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVGHSS) at Valakom, where he is part of the school management," said debutant director Vinesh Viswanath.At least eight schools in the state, and one in Punjab, have since altered seating inside classrooms to improve the optics of teacher-student interaction. "We never expected this kind of social impact. We are happy that the movie is being discussed nationally," Viswanath said.'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan' revolves around backbencher Sreekuttan, who challenges a frontbencher in the school elections. The protagonist, during a science fair, proposes semi-circular seating to bridge the student divide. In the movie's finale, his idea is adopted by the school, marking a shift in teaching patterns."In a typical classroom, students at the back often feel left out, and teachers unintentionally focus more on those in the front rows. With a semi-circular layout, every student is now part of the core," said Sunil P Sekhar, principal of RVGHSS. "We have noticed more participation, improved teacher-student interaction, and a sense of equality among students."Amruth G Kumar, professor at Central University of Kerala's School of Education, said classroom seating used to be "U-shaped" until education spread. "Schools shifted to a row-like system when the number of enrolments increased in the 19th century," he said.Teachers in schools that have shifted to semi-circular seating acknowledge that the change has resulted in students showing improved focus and better posture, making learning easier, clutter-free and more engaging.

Kollam(Kerala), Jul 12 (PTI) At Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom in this South Kerala district, a proud tribute to former student G P Nandana greets visitors at the gate, celebrating her remarkable feat of securing the 2nd rank in Kerala and 47th nationally in the Civil Services Examinations. But the school's acclaim doesn't end there, as it has also become a model for innovation in education, thanks to a unique classroom setup that eliminates the idea of backbenchers entirely. By rearranging seating to ensure every primary student gets equal attention, RVHSS ...Read More >
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 wo ...Read More >

Srinagar- To the world, he may be seen as extraordinarily lucky. But to 40-year-old Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India crash on June 12, survival has come at an unbearable cost. Vishwas, an Indian-origin British national, was the only person to walk away alive after Flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members on board and 19 people on the ground. Among the dead was his younger brother, Ajay. Vishwas was ...Read More >