Kerala to eliminate backbenches; writing-pad chairs proposed in schools

Thiruvananthapuram: A recommendation has been made to replace traditional bench-and-desk systems in school classrooms with individual chairs equipped with writing pads in order to eliminate the concept of the “backbench”. The expert committee appointed by the government has also suggested that classrooms should move away from fixed rectangular layouts and instead be designed flexibly to suit various learning needs.

The report of the expert committee constituted by the SCERT at the direction of General Education Minister V Sivankutty to recommend seating arrangements without backbenches was recently approved by the curriculum committee.

Taking into account technological advancements and new teaching methodologies, changes will be introduced in the design of school buildings in the future. The committee recommended that classrooms be designed to ensure a minimum of 10 square feet of space per student. The General Education Department will soon issue orders to implement backbench-free seating arrangements in classes from pre-primary to higher secondary level starting next academic year.

According to the committee, chairs with writing pads will encourage independent seating, group activities and active participation among students. Lightweight, easily movable desks and chairs would allow classroom arrangements to be modified according to the nature of the subject being taught.

Replacing the traditional “sit-and-listen” method, modern seating patterns encouraging standing, movement and activity are proposed.

Proposed seating arrangements

• U-shaped seating for pre-primary and primary classes.
• Stadium-style seating for collaborative learning at the upper primary level.
• Combination layouts for project-based learning in upper primary classes.
• Circular or semi-circular seating in high school and higher secondary classes.
• Double U-shaped seating in classrooms with a large number of students.
• Priority for U-shaped arrangements to facilitate discussion and feedback even when using digital devices.
• Locker facilities in classrooms.

The committee also recommended that seating arrangements be tailored to teaching methods and proposed a major shift from allocating a fixed classroom to a batch towards a “subject-based classroom” system.