Tamil Nadu to Pilot U-Shaped Seating in Middle Schools

Will U-Shaped Seating Work in Tamil Nadu Schools? Pilot Programme to Begin Soon

In a significant shift in classroom dynamics, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has announced plans to introduce a U-shaped seating arrangement in middle schools across the state, on a pilot basis. The initiative, which aims to enhance student engagement and classroom visibility, is modeled after a similar practice adopted in several Kerala schools—originally inspired by the Malayalam film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan.

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The move, officially directed on July 12 by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, follows the successful implementation of U-Shaped Seating arrangements in primary school classrooms in Tamil Nadu. Officials say the new layout will be gradually introduced this academic year, beginning with middle schools.

According to a circular from the department, the U-shaped design is intended to promote better teacher-student interaction, improve visibility for all students, and create a more inclusive and collaborative learning environment. “Given the increased student strength in higher secondary classes, this arrangement is being tested at the middle school level to address both engagement and monitoring challenges,” an official said.

However, not everyone is fully on board with the change. Several teachers and parents have raised concerns about the practicality of the new setup, particularly with regard to space constraints in existing classrooms. “The idea is progressive, but many classrooms simply don’t have the room for such a layout without reducing seating capacity,” said one Chennai-based middle school teacher.

Sources in the department confirmed that further discussions are planned next week to review the feedback and possibly make adjustments to the circular. The pilot phase will allow administrators and educators to evaluate the impact of the U-shaped format before considering a statewide rollout.

The concept of U-Shaped Seating gained traction in Kerala after being depicted in Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, where the innovative arrangement was shown to improve inclusivity and teacher-student dynamics. Tamil Nadu’s adaptation signals a growing interest in reimagining traditional classroom designs to foster better learning environments.