Latest news with #RMVHSS
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Karnataka Child Rights Activists Urge Govt To Adopt U-Shaped Seating In Schools
This seating arrangement has already been adopted by eight schools in Kerala, and even a school in Punjab has embraced it. Following the implementation of U-shaped seating arrangements in several schools in Kerala to eliminate the concept of backbenchers, child rights activists in Karnataka are urging the state government to adopt the same strategy. This seating model aims to foster equality and ensures that teachers can pay attention to all students in the classroom. Nagasimha G Rao, a child rights activist, has written to the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Madhu Bangarappa, requesting that U-shaped seating arrangements be introduced in government schools, according to a report by Bangalore Mirror. Rao noted that traditional row-based seating allows teachers to focus primarily on front-row students, whereas U-shaped seating enables teachers to engage with all students, promoting equality and eliminating the stigma associated with being a backbencher. Echoing this sentiment, child rights activist Vasudeva Sharma expressed that U-shaped seating would ensure teachers give equal attention to all students, changing the perception of those seated in the front row. Dr Thippeswamy KT, a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights told the news agency that while the idea is good in principle, it may not be practically feasible. He pointed out that students sitting on the sides may experience neck pain from focusing on the blackboard or teacher for 45 minutes. He stressed that the authorities would need to provide the necessary infrastructure in government schools before implementing U-shaped seating arrangements, the report added. Eight schools in Kerala have already implemented this seating arrangement, and a school in Punjab has also adopted it. Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, a district in South Kerala, introduced this unique classroom setup to ensure every primary student receives equal attention, according to PTI. Inspired by the Malayalam movie 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', the school adopted an innovative seating arrangement where seats are placed along the four walls of the classroom, making every student sit in front benches. Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, whose family runs RMVHSS, played a key role in introducing this new system. After previewing 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan' a year before its release, he discussed its implementation in RMVHSS primary classes with the teachers, the report added. Initially, the school introduced this arrangement in class 1, and after receiving positive feedback, extended it to all lower primary classes, stated Sunil P Sekhar, Headmaster of RMVHSS. He mentioned that this system allowed teachers to give equal attention to all students, facilitating better monitoring. It also eliminated the concept of backbenchers, giving every student a prominent position. Teachers observed that similar systems are already in practice in countries like Finland and Norway, where the student-teacher ratio in schools is better. view comments 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.
India Today
4 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
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Influenced by movie, Kerala schools to remove backbenchers through a new seating arrangement
Kollam, At Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School 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. Influenced by movie, Kerala schools to remove backbenchers through a new seating arrangement 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 has drawn admiration and imitation. Influenced by the recently released Malayalam movie, 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', the school has brought in an innovative seating arrangement where single row seats are aligned with the four walls of the classroom, so everyone sits in front benches. Eight schools in Kerala have already adopted this seating arrangement, and even a school in Punjab has adopted it. "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 District Primary Education Programme and we had lost it somewhere in between," Vinesh said. In fact, it was the farsightedness of Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, whose family runs RMVHSS, that paved the way to introducing this system in this school. Ganesh Kumar had watched the preview of 'Sthanarthi Sreekuttan', a year before its release and discussed the possibility of introducing it in primary classes in RMVHSS with the teachers. "Ganesh Kumar discussed this with us and his wife, who manages the school. We also agreed to start it in one class. The results we got were very positive and we introduced them to all lower primary classes," Sunil P Sekhar, Headmaster of RMVHSS, told PTI. He said 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. Meera, a Lower Primary teacher, with more than 29 years of experience said she found this model more rewarding and productive compared to the conventional seating arrangements in school classrooms. "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 also pay close attention to the teacher," Meera said. The teachers say that such systems are already practiced in countries like Finland and Norway with a better student-teacher ratio in schools. "I got some negative comments from the X platform, where some senior students have posted that they have 80 students in the classroom and how this system can be introduced in such a situation. "It is actually against our existing law to have so many students in a class, and the authorities are now taking action against that school," Vinesh Viswanath said. He said even Anand Mahindra has tweeted, saying it is a welcome move, though he personally likes the concept of backbenchers. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
