The Indian state of Kerala is making a significant shift in its educational infrastructure, moving away from the conventional backbench seating arrangement that has long been associated with either mischief or mystery. Instead, U-shaped classroom layouts are being implemented across schools in the region, placing teachers at the center and ensuring equal visibility and attention for every student.
This innovative approach is rooted in Kerala’s rich cinematic history, inspired by a 2013 Malayalam comedy titled ‘Oru Indian Pranaya Kadha’. The film, which garnered moderate sentiment among the Kerala demographic and was covered by The Print, depicted a U-shaped classroom that fostered active participation from all students.
The new layout is not only gaining traction within Kerala but also across the country, drawing national attention to this unique educational strategy. The inspiration behind this change, ‘Sthanarthi Sreekuttan’, was a Malayalam children’s film that first introduced the U-shaped seating trend in Indian schools.
As Kerala continues to innovate within its educational system, it serves as an example for other states and regions to follow suit. The impact of this shift remains to be seen, but with students seated equidistantly from their teachers and encouraged to participate actively, the stage is set for a more engaging learning environment.
