Suicide: School mgmt, edu dept in blame game

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Pathanamthitta

- SOVI VIDYADHARAN @T'Puram

AS PART of doing away with the concept of 'backbenchers', the government is considering a proposal to change the seating arrangement in school classrooms from the conventional rows to a U-shape model. The proposal, announced by General Education Minister V Sivankutty through a Facebook post, came a week after he kick-started a public debate on changing the academic year-end vacation from April-May to June-July.

The minister pointed out that being branded a 'backbencher' could impact a student's confidence and learning. "No child should be left behind," he said, adding that equal opportunities should be ensured for all children. He added that a committee of experts will be constituted to suggest the best seating pattern suitable for the state's education system. A final decision will be taken after examining the committee's report, he said.