Schools in Kerala are reinventing learning spaces by adopting a fresh seating arrangement designed to end the divide between front and backbenchers.
Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, located in South Kerala’s Kollam district, has emerged as a pioneer in educational innovation with its new classroom setup that ensures equal attention for every primary student.
Inspired by the recent Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the school implemented a U-shaped or V-shaped seating model. Here, single rows of desks are arranged along all four walls of the classroom, placing every child effectively on the front row.
This unique idea aims to promote inclusivity, boost participation, and remove the stigma attached to “backbenchers.”
The experiment has quickly gained traction. Seven other schools across Kerala have already rolled out similar layouts, while a school in Punjab has also embraced the model. Many more institutions have expressed keen interest in adopting this learner-centered approach.
Educators believe the front-row-for-all design could be a significant step toward transforming classroom dynamics and helping students feel equally valued.