GS1 – Society
Context:
Several schools in Kerala are moving away from the conventional row-based classroom setup, opting instead for a semicircular or U-shaped seating arrangement. This change, influenced by the Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, aims to enhance learning experiences.
Design Approach:
- Students are seated in an arc facing the teacher, who occupies the central position.
Educational Significance:
- Eliminates classroom hierarchies by placing all students at equal visual distance from the teacher.
- Encourages active participation and fosters an inclusive environment.
- Improves peer-to-peer collaboration and teacher–student interaction.
Policy Relevance:
- Aligns with the 1994 District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) recommendation for flexible seating arrangements.
- DPEP, a centrally sponsored scheme for universalising primary education, has since been merged into the broader Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and is now part of Samagra Shiksha.