Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has revoked the recognition of 16 B.Ed. colleges in the state as part of its regulatory action.".

Of the 16 colleges whose recognition was revoked, nine are shut and no students have been admitted there. The other seven colleges' admission capacity is reported to be 500.

Minister Patil added that the recognition of these seven colleges has been revoked because the evaluation report was not submitted to the NCTE in time. The colleges whose recognitions have been revoked may appeal up to July 22, 2025.

If their appeal is granted in their favour, such colleges may once again be a part of the centralised admission process.

He also stated that according to the New Education Policy, a four-year B.Ed. course that is, Integrated Teacher Training Program has been implemented.

He was responding to a question raised by Shiv Sena MP Amol Khatal and sub-question by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar.

On the other hand, State Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil in another question stated that illegal land grabbing by moneylenders without a government permit will now be probed at the District Collector level.

Complaints are being received in the state about land grabbing of several farmers by illegal moneylenders, and the state government has taken a firm stance in such cases, Minister Patil added.

As of today, 771 hectares of land has been restored to the farmers in such situations, he informed.

"It is illegal for unlicensed moneylenders to operate. Only licensed individuals can levy legal interest rates. Moreover, moneylenders should post details of the interest rates outside their premises and should also adhere to the annual interest rate. If the complainants furnish details of certain moneylenders and borrowers, they will be investigated to deliver justice to the concerned," he added.

You’ve probably heard someone say, “I don’t need anyone.” Maybe you’ve said it yourself too.It sounds bold, even admirable. A statement of strength in a world that keeps asking for more of you. But here’s a harder truth, sometimes  it’s not strength.

Sometimes, it’s self-protection pretending to be independence.

Hyper-independence is often mistaken for confidence. From the outside, it looks like someone who has it all together or is handling life alone, never asking for help, always “fine.” But look closer, and it becomes something much heavier. Something that doesn’t feel like a choice.

It’s not just that I can do it alone.

But It’s I don’t trust anyone to stay if I don’t.

Where Does It Come From?

Hyper-independence isn’t some new Gen Z buzzword or overreaction. Psychologists have long observed it in people who’ve experienced emotional neglect, inconsistent caregivers, or betrayal,especially early in life. When reaching out for support ends in rejection or disappointment, the brain makes a theory that Do not  reach out at all.

It’s a classic trauma response, especially common in people with avoidant attachment styles. Instead of asking for help, you build a wall so high no one even tries to climb it( unless they’re Jack and have the magic beanstalk)

Instead of being let down, you make sure you don’t need anything from anyone to begin with.

Dr. Nicole LePera, a psychologist known for her work on trauma and self-healing, describes hyper-independence as a way to “control vulnerability.” It’s not about thriving alone. It’s about surviving without risking closeness or attachment.

What Does It Look Like?

It’s the friend who won’t let you pay for their coffee,even when it’s your treat.

It’s the student who refuses group projects because they “work better alone,” but secretly dreads the silence.

It’s the adult who never asks for favors, even when their world is falling apart.

It’s the teenager who starts cooking, cleaning, and managing everything at home because “it’s easier not to depend on anyone.”

Hyper-independence isn’t just about avoiding help but it’s about avoiding the need for help. It’s turning self-reliance into survival.But It’s exhausting and they won't agree to it.

What no one tells you is how draining it is to constantly carry everything on your own.

It’s not a glow-up. It's a weight you were never meant to hold alone.There’s no one to check in when you burn out.

No one to notice when you’re quiet.Even when you're struggling, you’ll still smile and say, “I’ve got it.”

You don’t just avoid vulnerability but you lose out on softness, on connection, on care.Eventually, you forget what it feels like to lean, To exhale, To be helped.

And the hardest part? People might admire it.

“You’re so strong.”

“I wish I was like you.”

But they’re admiring a version of you built from fear.

Real Independence vs Hyper-Independence

There’s a difference between being independent and being hyper-independent.

Real independence is the ability to manage your life while knowing help is an option.

Hyper-independence is the belief that help isn’t safe. That needing someone is a weakness. That you have to do it alone or you’ll lose control.

One comes from confidence. The other, from fear.

Why We Glorify It

In a culture obsessed with hustle, detachment, and “I’m unbothered”(Non chalant)energy, hyper-independence is often celebrated.

We confuse it with discipline, ambition, even self-respect.

But being unreachable isn’t always a strength.Sometimes it’s just loneliness in disguise.

Social media doesn’t help. We see curated reels of people grinding solo, waking up at 5 AM, hitting the gym, running a business, reading, journaling, manifesting and all without ever needing anyone.

But no one posts the panic attack they had at 3 AM because they couldn’t handle it anymore.

How Do You Unlearn It?

Slowly. Imperfectly. And with a lot of discomfort.

Unlearning hyper-independence means letting people in,bit by bit.

It means saying “I need help” even when it makes your stomach twist.

It means trusting that not everyone will leave. That not everyone will use your softness against you.

That love can be safe.

It might start small. Letting someone carry your bag. Saying you had a hard day. Admitting you don’t know what you’re doing.You’ll still feel the urge to say, “I’m fine.”But maybe, one day, you’ll follow it up with, “Actually... I could use someone right now.”

And maybe that’s what real strength looks like.

By Aditi Sawarkar

Traditionally, there was a set definition of a successful career that involved tradition, parental influence, and limited definitions of success, typically centered around the professions that adhered to success such as being a doctor, engineer, lawyer, or government employee. And so, over the last few decades, we have witnessed the evolution of a career path into the era of alternative careers. In the 21st century, we are no longer burdened with linear and predictable vertical work careers in corporate entities that can, and, in many cases, take a lifetime to build; instead, careers are largely independent, passion-driven, flexible, driven by personal choices, and based on individualism.

There is a rapid, accelerating growth of alternative careers all over the world that includes digital content creators, ethical hackers, animal therapists (“pet therapists”), user experience designers, eco-entrepreneurs, and mindfulness coaches. Disrupting traditional career constructions, alternative careers legitimize the trajectories of individuals with interests and goals that do not match traditional workforce expectations, even values and beliefs about themselves as workforce participants. Alternative careers employ creative thinking and personal choice over traditional thinking and social validation.

Embracing Alternative Careers

Alternative careers are paths in life that diverge from the norms and tradition of normal career moves. These are more likely to be creative, interdisciplinary, tech-enabled, or socially innovative careers that emphasize self, autonomy, and expertise in a niche market. 

The emergence of alternative careers is not merely another trend, but rather a cultural phenomenon that reflects a desire on the generational level to match work with passion, lifestyle, and purpose. The traditional 9-to-5 career is still viable, but it is no longer the only way to achieve a meaningfully rewarding or financially secure life.

Some examples are outlined below:

•  Digital content creator (YouTuber, influencer, podcaster)
•  Sustainability expert or climate strategist
•  UX/UI designer or video game designer
•  Wellness (not clinical), mental wellness coach, or expressive arts therapist
•  Ethical hacker or blockchain consultant
• Tattoo artist or wildlife photographer
•  Urban farmer or slow fashion business or entrepreneur

These types of occupations were once classified as ‘non-serious’ or risky because they quite simply did not exist- a lot of them have only developed in the past two decades or so: they are legitimate, respected, and usually quite lucrative pathways! They afford you the opportunity to blend your interests in life (including work) into a viable career, and potential progression.

Drivers of the Shift to Extractive Careers

1. Technological Advancements

The internet has made knowledge, resources, and platforms available to anyone with a smartphone and an idea. Now anyone can start a podcast, create a newsletter, build a business or reach a global audience. It has given birth to the creator economy, the gig economy, and allowed millions of people to find ways to turn their skills into income, beyond traditional corporate limitations.

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Substack, Etsy, and Upwork have emerged as launchpads for alternative careers. As have online course platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy to develop unusual skills (like aerial photography or crypto investing) without formally qualified credentials.

2. Disillusionment with Conventional Jobs

Young professionals have learned that ordinary jobs just don’t cut it. Many feel stifled by burn-out, bureaucracies, or simply by the lack of meaning. The hustle culture that glorified slogging away 80-hour work weeks is drawing a lot of ire, as one could argue that nothing could be a better transmission of culture shock than the steep mental-health toll some men and women have paid during the pandemic, because of this work ethic. So, young adults are pursuing other priorities, and this includes flexibility, mental well-being and purpose.

The pandemic has also accelerated some of these ideas, and the ‘Great Resignation’ was the culmination of millions of people quitting their conventional jobs in search of creative freedom, as well as a better work-life balance, as entrepreneurs.

3. Cultural Reframing of Success

Success is no longer just defined by titles, salaries, or corporate ladders. There is increasing respect for careers that are passion-driven, have community impact, and allow for personal expression. Parents, educators, and society are slowly beginning to support alternative paths to success. Society is coming to terms with the fact that you can be as happy and fulfilled teaching yoga, writing poetry, or operating a zero-waste café.

4. Rise of the Knowledge and Passion Economy

We are moving into a world where knowledge is currency and passion is power. People are discovering that their expertise in niche areas of interest (like retro gaming, plant-based cooking, or astrology) can be leveraged into complete careers. People are looking for authentic, impersonal connection rather than highly polished professionalism.

This has allowed unorthodox professionals to operate simply by being themselves, and by solving different kinds of problems and providing unique value.

India's Acceptance of Alternate Careers

India, a country known for having stringent expectations in careers, is having a cultural and work revolution. Urban youth in India, chiefly in cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, are now taking up stand-up comedy, podcasting, sustainable fashion, filmmaking, digital art, and the culinary arts as full-time careers. 

Schools and institutions for creative education, such as the National Institute of Design (NID), Srishti School of Art, and Whistling Woods International--have added credibility to creative education. In addition, the start-up space has made entrepreneurial education and stories commonplace with shows like 'Shark Tank India' and government run programs that espouse entrepreneurship, such as 'Startup India'. 

Social media influencers such as Bhuvan Bam, Kusha Kapila, Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps), and finance educator Ankur Warikoo have exemplified how digital platforms can accelerate a lucrative career beyond stereotypes or traditional expectations.

India’s Embrace of Alternative Careers

India, with its historical background of occupational and educational rigidity, has now become a cultural laboratory. Urban youth, particularly in cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, are trying to pursue full-on careers in stand-up comedy, indie filmmaking, food blogging, ethical travel, and even tattoo artistry!

New media notions like Terribly Tiny Tales, Kommune, and FilterCopy have allowed writers and performers the empowerment structures. The boom of regional content and the increase in digital OTT platforms increased the possibilities for actors, cinematographers, and scriptwriters beyond the Bollywood bubble.

The entrepreneurship ecosystem—propelled by digital payment systems, startup financing, and government initiatives like Start-Up India—has given youth the confidence to tinker around with business concepts in ed-tech, agritech, and social impact spaces.

Rethinking Education to Provide for New Careers

We live in a time when our pre-existing education system that was designed to serve the industrial age simply cannot prepare students for the contemporary careers of leaders and organizations. It will imminently be necessary to think about:

•  Incorporating soft skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence into the curriculum.
•  Advancing vocational and skills-based learning.
•  Providing opportunities for entrepreneurial thinking from the earliest years.
• Designing opportunities for interdisciplinary exposure and real-world project-based experiences.

Innovative institutions are already offering courses in digital marketing, ethical leadership, design thinking, podcasting and startup incubators. Mentorship programs and internships in unconventional areas are becoming increasingly popular.

The Importance of Media and Representation

Pop culture is a critical vehicle for normalising alternate careers. Movies like Tamasha, Wake Up Sid and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara focus on the tension between passion and conformity; web series and their corresponding Youtube channels, which feature the work of creators, entrepreneurs and change-makers, inspire millions to consider more than the traditional norms.

Mainstream media has a responsibility to continue to showcase the narratives of people shattering norms in alternative careers, not as anomalies, but as standards.

Hybrid and Fluid Careers

The future of work is not binary, it is hybrid. Many professionals today hold multiple professional identities: a software engineer who maintains a travel blog, a dentist who is a wellness YouTuber, a professor who writes fiction. Portfolio careers are becoming standard.

Likewise, the idea of “retirement” is changing. People change careers multiple times, pursue learning for life, and follow passion over pension.

As AI and automation eliminate traditional roles, the uniquely human elements of creativity, empathy, and originality will become far more valuable. Alternative careers that make use of these characteristics will become more central to our economies.

Conclusion

The increase in alternative careers represents not just a change in trends and patterns of work, but a redefinition of ambition, success, and happiness. It indicates a larger awakening in society—where people are reclaiming control and authority over the use of their time, their talents, and their trajectories.

As the acceptability of this type of work increases in our societies and supporting ecosystems, the distinction between "mainstream" and "alternative" careers will continue to become more abstract and circumstantial in nature. Rather, what matters more to people is that work does not feel like a trade-off, rather an extension of who they are.

The era of alternative careers is not an insurgence; it is an insurgence. And it is here to stay.

BY- ANANYA AWASTHI

India takes pride as the world's largest democracy and has always differentiated itself on the global stage by its colourful electoral culture and a dynamic electorate. Over the last few years, however, a worthy demographic shift has been changing the political environment — the contemporary surge of youth political participation in India. The 2024 general elections made a dramatic turn, not just for the candidates and the political parties, but more importantly, for millions of young Indians who were coming aboard as engaged voters and changemakers. With student voters 2025 expected to drive upcoming elections, we are indeed seeing the emergence of a new era of voter consciousness, whereby a well-informed, digitally-savvy generation of social entrepreneurs is strategically challenging the behaviours of traditional politics.

A Democratic Upsurge ; The Youth Engagement in Politics 

Over the years, the youth of India have played enormous roles in social movements and political movements. We've witnessed student uprisings for freedom, leadership against the Emergency, and protests to end the farmers' despondence. Historically, in terms of sustained participation in formal politics, the Indian youth have had a sporadic existence for many decades. That is now changing dramatically.

Youth political participation in India has become more organized, consistent, and outcomes focused. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recorded over 18 million first-time voters in the general elections of 2024. These numbers are likely to continue to grow in the future election cycles making youth a decisive voting body.

 A Democratic Dividend in the Making

Civic engagement, awareness, and participation are important in sustaining democracy. And now, India is experiencing a profound resurgence of civic energy by its citizens, particularly among its youth. With nearly 65% of the population under the age of 35, those historically disenfranchised with India's democracy are no longer just passive observers of democratic processes in their country, they are clearly becoming an active force. The increasing youth political participation in India indicates that generations younger than the millennial generation are beginning to view politics, elections, governing, and their roles as changemakers differently.

There is no doubt that as student voters for 2025 prepare to vote, they are already influencing political discussions, party manifestos, campaign strategies and the political landscape. By leveraging their role as the largest and most active online generation, a generation fueled primarily by issues, values, and accountability, this generation of young voters - mostly Gen Z, is something new. Meaning, they are redefining what voters' engagement looks like - no longer merely exercising their right to vote every few years, but they are engaged in a new era of voter awareness with shifts in critical thinking, civic awareness, and activism.

Students Voters 2025

The term students voters 2025 references the next group of first-time young voters that will be participating in local, state, and national elections in the next electoral cycle. These students are digitally native, informed, and concerned about the future.

Key characteristics of student voters 2025-

1.Campus Campaigning and Youth Manifestos

Youth-led organisations and student bodies have begun to create their own manifestos and are calling for political parties to incorporate them into policy agendas. The youth manifestos often included:

• Right to quality education 
•  Affordable housing for students 
• More representation in local government 
•  Digital infrastructure and cyber security 

2. Voter Mobilization: On Technology

Apps and WhatsApp groups and AI-enabled platforms are being designed for voter registration drives, to counter false news, and offline political meetups. Groups such as Swaraj India, Yuva Shakti and Indian Youth Congress have provided digital literacy schemes to empower young voters to participate in democratic processes.

Young Voter Impact: Changing the Political Equation

The young voter impact is redefining and changing the existing structure of the Indian democracy, both in terms of quantity and quality.

1. Flipping electoral results

In several states, youth votes have changed the outcome of elections. In urban and semirural constituencies with learner populations, youth voters achieved remarkable wins through mobilising, both online and in person.

Cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad have seen youth voter turnout as a percentage, now have substantial numbers, and youth-led political conversations appear to be in play. 

2. Shaping Political Discussion

Political parties across the mainstream must begin to explicitly include youth issues in their platforms. The 2024 electoral cycle had promises around:

•  Start-up and employment opportunities
•  Mental health
•  Digital access and online safety
•  Decriminalization of certain social behaviours

These promise priorities are all invariably associated with the advocacy of young voters and student groups.

3. Building Pressure Groups

Youth are forming increased numbers of advocacy groups, formal NGOs, and more informal structures and volunteer bases. All work to put pressure on governments to act in some way on many policy fronts. There are sizable movements such as the anti CAA protests, farmers support movements, and climate action movements and youth have participated in substantial numbers in all of them.

Barriers To Youth Engagement - The Gaps That Are (Still) There 

Even the successes of the movement are ultimately held back by real barriers to meaningful political participation through young people within Indian democracy. 

1. Rural Youth Voter Apathy 

While urban youth have support all around them to be engaged, youth in rural areas are often not only unaware of issues but also often lack the resources (including accessibility to voting infrastructure) to engage civically. If we genuinely want to politically engage youth we need to strengthen voter education campaigns in these areas. 

2. Economic Barriers 

For many young adults, pursuing employment when they enter the world of work creates significant economic constraints and job instability that often force them into a position of survival that does not afford them the opportunity to engage civically. An emphasis on the economics of citizenship illustrates that when young people do not have an economic base to stand on, it is almost impossible to sustain political engagement.

3. Cynicism with Distrust

Exchange with organizational corruption, broken promises or simply political cynicism that is user friendly, erodes levels of trust in government actors and systems. Generation Z is being hopeful; however, their political engagement is also based on mistrust of institutional politics.

4. Limited Political Literacy

Access to digital formats is overall quite good; however, the understanding of the constitution structure/electoral laws/policy frameworks is very limited. Political literacy is necessary to convert knowledge of an issue into action at the policy level.

Gen Z Voting Trends: Leaving Conventional Politics Behind

Gen Z voting trends are unlike a political trend previously seen in India. This generation was born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s, thus representing a generation of voters who are not bound to traditional loyalties and who are unwilling to accept any political rhetoric conforming to traditional assumptions of how voters will behave. 

1. Digital Engagement

For Gen Z, political engagement is online. Political engagement does not start with rallies but it starts on digital platforms, such as Instagram reels, YouTube debates, Reddit threads, and Twitter spaces. Gen Z is important as a voting group because they are fact-checkers and often respond purposefully to disinformation campaigns.

2. Voting by Values

The members of the generation are voting based on value alignment with candidates rather than on caste, religion, or party loyalties. They have a particular interest in some topics, which include: 

* Climate Justice 

* Freedom of Speech 

* LGBTQ+ Rights 

* Women Safety 

* Mental Health & Resources 

* Education Reforms 

3. Support for New Political Characters

Gen Z is more likely to support independent candidates or new political parties who could offer alternatives to the political status quo, offer transparency, or are progressive. Traditional parties face pressure to alter their language, their behaviours, and their identities.

4. Social Media Advocacy

Digital advocacy has become the primary method of activism. Hashtag movements, online petitions, and viral videos have taken on a new meaning when it comes to altering political reputations. Political leaders are now pouring money into social media, targeting the Gen Z audience directly.

The increase in engagement of youth in Indian politics is rewriting the playbook. This generation, faced with a life-altering pandemic, will no longer be sidelined and underestimated by their elders, and are claiming their democratic rights with clarity and confidence. They are not only the future of Indian politics, they are the present.

From the classroom to the campaign trail, from hashtags to policy proposals, youth voices in India are becoming louder and clearer. The first cohort has already voted, and as student voters 2025 get ready to cast their votes, they have with them their expectation of a more transparent, accountable, and just India.

This is more than a trend, it is a movement. And it is the sign of a new voter consciousness that will warp the soul of Indian democracy.


 BY- ANANYA AWASTHI  

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Tuesday transferred six indigenously manufactured strategic systems to the Indian Navy. The systems, developed to Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQR), were ceremoniously transferred to the Indian Navy Tuesday at a ceremony in DRDO's Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur.

The handover was made by Secretary DDR&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat to Rear Admiral Sriram Amur, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Submarine Support Planning), a move towards operational self-reliance for the Indian Navy. 

The six critical products handed over are:

Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS)

Environmental Surveillance Vehicle (ESV)

Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System (VRCMS)

Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS)

Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM)

Organ Radioactivity Detection System (ORDS)

All six systems have been designed to enhance situational awareness, detection, and decontamination capabilities in the event of nuclear and radiological emergencies — both at sea and ashore. Their induction in the field is a major leap ahead in India's naval preparedness against non-traditional threats, specifically in disputed maritime areas.

This shift follows closely another achievement on June 11, when DRDO, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, achieved successful test-firings of the locally developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from a Su-30 MKI launcher off the coast of Odisha. The missile, now integrated with an Indian-designed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, targeted and annihilated aerial targets with impressive precision.

The over 100 km strike range Astra missile is fitted with a cutting-edge indigenous guidance and navigation package. Its creation is a testament to the synergy between DRDO's R&D centers, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and over 50 indigenous industry partners, testifying to the big push under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.

Collectively, these twin successes — a critical CBRN technology transfer and a precision missile test — reestablish India's growing defence production ecosystem and operational autonomy across domains.

Kerala's education system is making headlines by revolutionizing the conventional classroom seating, shifting away from the prevalent "backbencher" culture to embracing novel U-shaped seating designs. The new trend seats the students in a semicircle in front of the instructor, all with particular design to facilitate inclusivity, fair participation, and increased student engagement. As part of Kerala school education reforms, this inclusive classroom model is designed to maximize concentration, discussion, and interaction between teachers and students today. In reimagining classroom design in Kerala schools, the process has unleashed heated discussion on social media handles—while some applaud the revolution as a movement toward democratic and concentrated learning, others lament having lost the freedom of creativity once afforded from behind rows.

How u-shaped class seating helps promote inclusivity and participation

In this arrangement, the tables are placed in a U-shape in front of the teacher in the middle. The concept is that it provides equal play participation by providing each learner with clear view of the teacher—and vice versa. These supporters believe that the format lessens classroom hierarchies, allows for interaction, and avoids distraction that tends to creep in at the rear of the classroom.

Inspired by a Malayalam movie, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the program was initially pilot-tested in one government school at Valakom and has since caught on among other schools in Kerala as well as in one in Punjab. Teachers have termed the semi-circle seating arrangement as facilitating group learning and eliminating physical as well as psychological barriers in classrooms.

Internet reacts to Kerala's backbencher ban in classrooms

The decision has provoked a wave of responses on social media. There were some appreciations for Kerala's education sector for promoting equality and active participation among students, particularly in government schools where differences between the learning setups are more noticeable.

Others, though, looked back nostalgically to the back rows—long a sanctuary for introverts, quiet thinkers, or those students wishing to get their heads clear. Among the popular posts was that as much as the new seating structure encourages visibility and attention, it can constrain the open creative space that the old backbenchers enjoyed. Several others grumbled about ergonomics as well, speculating a stern sideways lean might make them uncomfortable for long periods of sitting.

Kerala's u-shaped seating turns classroom culture upside down

It was a general consensus among web-viewers that the shift is more than mere furniture reorganization—it reflects a larger cultural shift by schools towards student participation. By essentially eliminating the "back" of the class, these schools are symbolically abolishing knowledge hierarchies and moving towards a more democratic learning environment.

In SLTP Negeri 2 Pematang Raya research affirmed the efficacy of U-shaped seating in discussion in the classroom setting, particularly speaking lessons with grade one students. The study ended by concluding that utilising U-shaped seating allowed the teacher to give clear instructions, observe students with ease, and engage more effectively in discussion. More than 77% of the students were affirmative and responded that they enjoyed and felt at ease using the U-shaped seating layout. This is positive proof of Kerala's move to implement U-shaped classrooms as an evidenced-based strategy for elevating participation and engagement.

Though there's debate, there's no disputing the interest, fascination, and healthy dose of nostalgia created by Kerala's U-shaped classroom pilot. Whether states adopt, there's no doubt this classroom pilot has put folks thinking—about learning, where we sit, and how those decisions inform education experiences.