‘No more back benchers’: Tamil Nadu introduces U-shaped seating format in classrooms

Tamil Nadu has introduced a U-shaped seating arrangement in the classrooms, which will play a vital role in improving the learning experience for students. The new seating format is used wherein desks and chairs are placed in ‘U’ shaped opening towards the board, offering a balance between teacher-student centered learning dynamics.

According to the official Tamil Nadu statement, all chief educational officers have instructed school heads to arrange ‘U-shaped’ classrooms depending on the students' strengths and classroom size.

The new seating arrangement is best for discussions and teacher interaction. All students can see each other and the teacher, encouraging communication.
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Key features of ‘U’ shaped seating arrangement

The key features of the ‘U’ shaped seating arrangement are as follows.

• Improves Visibility: Every student will be able to see the board and the teacher.
• Enhances Accessibility and Monitoring: Teachers can easily monitor students and ensure easy movement for both students and teachers.
• Improvement in Atmosphere: The desks will be positioned to take advantage of natural light and airflow.
• Inclusive Design with Technology Integration: The new arrangement accommodates students with special needs and also provides enough space for devices such as tablets and laptops.

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‘No more backbenchers’

According to the official Tamil Nadu statement, the format will encourage interaction, promoting discussion, question answer sessions, and peer learning. Students will be able to see and hear each other better, supporting collaboration.

Additionally, students who feel isolated or are less involved are more likely to participate in inclusive setting. The format also reduces feeling of hierarchy and encourages equal opportunity for students to speak and share their ideas. ‘U’ shaped seating format is ideal for role plays, science experiments and interactive lessing, offering space in the middle for demonstrations or collaborative activities.