The Prussian educational system of the 19th century is where the conventional row-and-column classroom arrangement first appeared. Standardizing education throughout its expanding empire was a goal of the Prussian administration. They developed a strict classroom system that was modelled after military precision.
Despite not having originated during the Industrial Revolution, this concept was codified in European schools and fit in perfectly with its factory logic. Students sat in straight lines, facing ahead, as schools started to imitate factory layouts. They were taught to obey orders without inquiry.
One teacher was able to effectively manage big classrooms, keep an eye on behavior, and give one-way lectures thanks to the row-wise seating arrangement. During the British colonial era, the front-bencher-back-bencher divide developed in India.
Education was used to create obedient clerks, administrators, and translators of the empire’s will during the colonial era. This goal was well served by the row-column arrangement, which guaranteed that teachers maintained their exclusive authority, discouraged teamwork, and encouraged silence.
Revolutionizing Modern Classrooms
From classroom rows and columns to U-shaped seating
Every seat at the Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVSS) in Kerala was positioned as a “front row” with desks arranged in a U or V form along the classroom’s four sides. RVHSS headmaster Sunil P. Sekhar told PTI, “Minister Ganesh Kumar discussed this with us after watching a preview of Sreekuttan, a year before its release.”
“We just had one class at first. The outcome was overwhelmingly favourable. We made it available to every lower primary section.
According to Sekhar, the modification made it possible for teachers to better monitor each pupil and provide them equal attention. More significantly, it eliminated the unseen barrier that backbenchers frequently occupy, both in terms of involvement and physical distance.
“It’s especially helpful in primary classes, where students are still learning how to learn,” he stated.
Meera, a 29-year veteran lower elementary teacher, described it as “the most rewarding shift” she had ever witnessed in her teaching career.
“There is greater participation and eye contact. Quieter pupils become more forthcoming,” she remarked.
BREAKING TRADITIONS: PUNJAB, TAMIL NADU, AND WEST BENGAL: NO BACKBENCHERS
Tamil Nadu is now experimenting with the concept.
Under the premise that “engagement begins with arrangement,” the state’s School Education Department recently urged schools to try a seating arrangement called “Pa,” which is based on the Tamil letter.
The change was verified by a Tamil Nadu education department official. Depending on the size of the classroom and the number of students, we have urged schools to test the concept. It only requires a new mindset, not new infrastructure,” the official stated.
The concept spread farther north as well as to nearby Tamil Nadu.
The first school in the district to use the ‘No More Backbencher’ strategy was the century-old Barlow Girls’ High School in Englishbazar, West Bengal.
Encouraged by state education officials and motivated by Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the school held three pilot sessions for Class VII: one in work education, one in history, and one in mathematics.
According to headmistress Deepasri Majumdar, “people in the back find it difficult to see the board or follow the discussion in traditional classrooms.” However, under this arrangement, every one of the 55 students paid attention, engaged in conversation, and asked questions. Such involvement is uncommon.
To ensure that every student could see and face the teacher, the school used a semi-circular or horseshoe-shaped configuration for the customary rows.
NEW TRADATION: WHAT DO PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE CHANGED CLASSROOMS?
Others from other states also wanted to see a system like this implemented there.
“Backbenchers are out! In order to guarantee that every kid receives equal attention, Keralan schools are using a U-shaped seating style, which was inspired by a Malayalam movie. A little change that has a big influence on confidence, learning, and inclusiveness. It’s time for all state governments to put this into effect,” commented former CBI joint director VV Lakshmi Narayana.
Others, however, responded to the news with nostalgia and humour.
“I’m glad I didn’t attend school in Kerala since backbenchers have been outlawed! I had a permanent seat there. “Where would I have concealed my secret samosa, my doodles, and my quick nap?” writes Harsh Goenka, an industrialist.
source- https://www.indiatoday.in/india
