‘No more backbenchers’: Kerala plans revamp of school seating

Kerala is preparing to phase out the traditional back-to-front row seating system in government schools in an effort to promote inclusive and equitable learning environments.

The state's General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced that an expert committee will be formed to explore alternative seating arrangements that better support student engagement and confidence.

"It has been decided to appoint a committee of experts to find out the best model suitable for our education system. Let us consider the suggestions of this panel and move forward," Sivankutty shared in a Facebook post.

The decision comes as part of a broader push to modernize classroom settings and eliminate the label of "backbenchers," which officials say can harm students’ morale and academic performance.

"The concept of backbenchers can have a negative impact on a student's confidence and learning... No child should be left behind in their studies or in life," the minister said.

While the changes will not be implemented immediately, the expert panel will consider Kerala’s pedagogical goals, infrastructure limitations, and student needs to develop a context-specific solution. The initiative will not apply a uniform approach across all schools.

Calling for public support, Sivankutty emphasized that the proposed reform is about more than furniture; it reflects a commitment to equal access and emotional well-being for every child.

"Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for all children. We are thinking about how to make this happen," he said.