Latest news with #RamavilasomVocationalHigherSecondarySchool
New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
The other class struggle on in India
Where does teaching end and learning begin? Or should that be the other way around? I asked myself these profound questions last week as news arrived from Kerala of a small step with revolutionary intent. Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School at Valakom decided to remove the concept of 'backbenchers' by introducing a circular seating arrangement in classrooms. Human beings are quite inertial—it takes some fresh inspiration to turn things around. As it happens, the south Kerala school was jolted by a Malayalam movie, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, to do away with traditional rows of benches and bring in single rows along the four walls of a classroom where every kid looks like a side-bencher. The movie's ideas have also crossed borders. While a Punjab school jumped eagerly on the idea, a circular from the education department in Tamil Nadu ran into rough weather. Tamil Nadu has insisted on implementing a somewhat semi-circular arrangement resembling the Tamil letter pa as a symbol of open minds after some social media protests on the ground that it was impractical. However, the idea of innovative seating is not new to Tamil Nadu, which introduced circular seating on the floor for activity-based learning two decades ago. The ideas were inspired by experiments at the Krishnamurti Foundation (which runs the Rishi Valley School, among others) and the Montessori method that emphasises peer learning and collaboration to help children grow on their own. Tamil Nadu had then enforced circular floor seating in more than 38,000 primary schools and swapped large blackboards for teachers to smaller ones for kids with six-student teams seated in circles overseen by teachers-turned-mentors. Classroom design involves pedagogy, pragmatism and politics. The plot of the Malayalam movie centres around struggles, aspirations and identity conflicts in classrooms. I spent my high school years on a backbench, and my seat-mates went on to become highly educated entrepreneurs. That is understandable because we were classified as tall students, not laggards.
India Today
5 days ago
- General
- India Today
Classrooms without backbenchers: With new sitting format, schools stand out
"Backbenchers, come sit in the front."If I had a rupee for every time a school teacher said that, I'd have saved enough to pay part of my college fee. Perennial backenchers like me would have memories, both fond and forgetable. But the times, they are a-changin'. Long seen as a comfort zone for some and a punishment for others, backbenches in schools could be on their way to becoming obsolete. That's to demolish the sitting hierarchy and making classrooms more a quiet but growing shift across states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and West Bengal, schools are rethinking how children sit. And the push isn't coming from top-down academic research or classroom reformers. It began with a scene from a Malayalam children's film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan. The movie, which questions the divide between frontbenchers and backbenchers, features a seventh-grade student suggesting a simple but powerful change: rearrange the single scene has now snowballed into a wider conversation about shifting not just the backbencher but also the seating system a cue from the film, Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kottarakkara, in South Kerala, decided to try out the before we go into how the seating system is changing, let's first look at how it DID THE FRONTBENCHER AND BACKBENCHER SYSTEM START?The traditional row-and-column classroom seating originated from the 19th-century Prussian education system. The Prussian government wanted to standardise education across its growing by military precision, they introduced a rigid classroom not born in the Industrial Revolution, this model aligned perfectly with its factory logic and was formalised in schools across schools began to mimic factory layouts, students sat in straight lines, facing forward, trained to follow instructions rather than question row-wise sitting allowed one teacher to control large classrooms efficiently, monitor behaviour, and deliver one-way India, the frontbencher–backbencher divide took root during the British colonial education in the colonial era was a means to produce compliant clerks, administrators, and interpreters of the empire's will. The row-column layout fit this agenda perfectly: it discouraged collaboration, promoted silence, and ensured that teachers remained the sole ROWS AND COLUMNS TO U-SHAPED SEATING IN CLASSROOMDesks in the Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVSS) in Kerala were placed along the four walls of the classroom in a U- or V-shape, turning every seat into a "front row"."Minister Ganesh Kumar discussed this with us after watching a preview of Sreekuttan, a year before its release," Sunil P Sekhar, headmaster of RVHSS, told began with just one class. The results were overwhelmingly positive. We introduced it to all lower primary sections."Sekhar said the change allowed teachers to give equal attention to every student and monitor them better. More importantly, it removed the invisible wall that backbenchers often sit behind, both physically and in terms of engagement."It's especially helpful in primary classes, where students are still learning how to learn," he a lower primary teacher with 29 years of experience, called it "the most rewarding shift" she's seen in her teaching career."There's more eye contact, more involvement. The quieter students open up," she BENGAL, TAMIL NADU AND PUNJAB: NO BACKBENCHERSThe idea is now being tried out in Tamil state's School Education Department recently encouraged schools to experiment with a 'Pa'-shaped seating arrangement— named after the Tamil letter — under the belief that "engagement begins with arrangement".An education department official from Tamil Nadu confirmed the shift."We've encouraged schools to try the idea depending on classroom size and student strength. It doesn't need new infrastructure, just a new way of thinking," the official idea travelled to not just neighbouring Tamil Nadu but further West Bengal's Malda, the century-old Barlow Girls' High School in Englishbazar became the first school in the district to adopt the 'No More Backbencher' by Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, and encouraged by state education officials, the school conducted three pilot sessions for Class VII — one each in mathematics, history, and work education."In conventional classrooms, those at the back struggle to see the board or follow the discussion," said headmistress Deepasri Majumdar. "But in this setup, all 55 students were attentive, asked questions, and interacted. That kind of engagement is rare."The school replaced traditional rows with a semi-circular or horseshoe-shaped arrangement, making sure every student could see and face the district's school inspector, Banibrata Das, who was present during the rollout, said the results spoke for themselves."Sreekuttan moved us. It's a simple idea, but the impact is deep," Das sentiment has caught on in parts of Punjab as well. A school that screened the film reportedly introduced the new seating layout based on its states, at least eight schools in Kerala and several others in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab are now tryingout the model in some form or the ARE PEOPLE SAYING ON CHANGED CLASSROOMS?Some people from other states too sought that a similar system be introduced there."No more backbenchers! Inspired by a Malayalam film, Kerala schools are adopting a U-shaped seating model to ensure every child gets equal attention. A simple shift with a powerful impact on inclusion, learning & confidence. Time for all state governments to implement this," wrote VV Lakshmi Narayana, former joint director of the others reacted to the news with humour and nostalgia."Thank goodness I didn't go to school in Kerala- they've abolished backbenchers! That was my permanent seat. Where would I have hidden my quick nap, my doodles, my secret samosa?," wrote industrialist, Harsh others said removing the last bench would not remove backbenchers, which is a mindset.- Ends
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu to end back-bencher culture with U-shape classroom seating
The Tamil Nadu government has introduced a new seating arrangement in classrooms to eliminate the traditional concept of back benchers and encourage a more inclusive and engaging learning last week, Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom school in Kerala adapted this model inspired by a the new approach in Tamil Nadu schools, students will be seated in a U-shape or 'pa'-shape (in Tamil), ensuring that every child remains visible and heard. This arrangement is being implemented on a pilot basis and may be expanded depending on the The model aims to foster conversation-based learning, improve teacher-student interaction, and ensure that no student is left out due to seating position.A MOVE TO END CLASSROOM HIERARCHYThe U-shape seating format is expected to help teachers maintain eye contact with all students, monitor classroom behaviour more efficiently, and reduce the sense of hierarchy that often comes with rows and columns of to an official press release from the Tamil Nadu government, 'Every voice should be heard and seen. Learning should become a conversation, not a lecture.'The decision reflects a broader push towards student-centric education models that encourage participation, equal opportunity, and interactive teaching BASED ON CLASSROOM SIZEThe number of students accommodated in each classroom will depend on the physical size of the classroom, ensuring that the new seating does not compromise comfort or emphasised that the focus is on creating an environment where all students can actively take part in discussions and engage with both peers and PROJECT FIRST, THEN POSSIBLE EXPANSIONThe new seating model will first be rolled out as a pilot programme, giving the state an opportunity to assess its effectiveness before it is implemented on a larger the model proves to be successful, it may redefine classroom dynamics across Tamil Nadu's schools, promoting a more inclusive and responsive learning space for all students.- Ends
NDTV
6 days 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
7 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
