Hyderabad collector calls for U-shaped seating in schools to do away with back benches

Swift Summary

• Classroom Changes: Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari mandated replacing back-bench seating with a ‘U’-shaped classroom arrangement to enhance student engagement.
• Reason for Change: Back benches reportedly distance students from teachers and hinder interaction,especially in schools serving marginalised communities.
• Inspection Visit Details: Teh directive follows the Collector’s inspection of the Tribal Welfare Water Sports Academy and Tribal Welfare Ashram Boys School in Bowenpally, Secunderabad on July 15, 2025. She reviewed infrastructure, sports training, digital education, and hostel facilities.
• Sports Training integration: Schools are encouraged to identify students’ interests early to prepare them for national/international sports competitions. Students were congratulated for winning silver and bronze in boating events held in the Philippines.
• academic Improvement Measures:

– Special coaching for Class 10 students struggling in Mathematics and Physics.
– Formation of peer learning groups to boost collective study efforts.

• Digital Focus: Teachers urged to prioritise digital classrooms from Classes 6-10 using platforms like TSAT.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The District Collector’s approach reflects growing attention toward holistic educational frameworks that combine academic rigor with active engagement strategies such as improved seating layouts. The ‘U’-shape arrangement aims at equal participation while addressing barriers commonly seen in marginalised community schools.This initiative mirrors trends elsewhere-inspired by Kerala-on student-centric classroom adjustments.

Strengthening sports programs alongside academics highlights a dual vision aimed at broader development opportunities. Recognizing achievements such as international boating wins underlines potential success when interests are nurtured early on.Expanding digital education through platforms like TSAT marks an essential shift towards modernization but will require consistent implementation across classes alongside teacher preparedness. Pragmatic measures like focused subject coaching for Class 10 aim directly at improving tangible outcomes (e.g., pass rates). Such strategies have relevance not just locally but could inform state-level improvements if made scalable.

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