Agartala, July 19, 2025: In a pioneering move aimed at transforming traditional learning spaces, PM SHRI Sabroom Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Tripura has introduced a U-shaped classroom design on an experimental basis starting on Saturday.

The initiative seeks to replace the long-standing front-to-back seating arrangement with a more inclusive layout that ensures equal visibility and participation for all students. By eliminating the conventional divide between “frontbenchers” and “backbenchers,” the new setup creates an environment where every student is equally engaged.

The idea draws inspiration from a scene in the Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan in which a student urges classmates to do away with positional hierarchies by saying, “Backbenchers, come sit in the front.” The message struck a chord with educators and students alike, prompting school authorities to reimagine the classroom structure.

“This design makes it easier for teachers to interact with students equally. Everyone feels seen, and that has already made a difference in participation,” said one of the school faculty members.

The U-shaped arrangement enhances teacher-student eye contact and creates space for more dynamic, collaborative discussions. Teachers have reported increased attentiveness and a surge in student confidence, with even quieter students now more inclined to join class interactions.

Students, too, are responding positively. “Earlier, it felt like those at the back were invisible. Now, it’s like we’re all in the front row,” said a student from the senior batch.

Though still in the experimental phase, this shift in classroom design reflects a broader push toward educational reform—one that not only modifies physical spaces but challenges ingrained social dynamics within the classroom.

If successful, the model could pave the way for similar reforms in schools across the state and the country, offering a blueprint for learning spaces that are inclusive, equitable, and student-centric.