To create a pleasant environment in school for young minds and to make learning fun, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Residential School in Hattiangadi, Kundapur taluk in Udupi district, has introduced unconventional benches for students. The benches have back rests designed in the shape of various animals and cartoon characters.
Many animals
There are carvings of colourful animals such as elephants, tigers and lions, and toon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. The benches ared to be used in the pre-primary section. Each bench accommodates two children and also has provision to keep bags, tiffin boxes and water bottles. The section has about 156 children attending the school from all over the taluk. The management says that the atmosphere is designed to arouse children's curiosity.
Vaishnavi, a student of Std I, looked thrilled about colourful seating arrangements in the class. She said that it was a nice feeling to be seated on a bench with a back seat carving that has Minnie Mouse. “I love watching cartoons and animals,” she said. Sumukha, her friend, liked the setting as it is very spacious and accommodated only two students. Shraddha, a student of Upper Kindergarten (UKG) was happy as there was enough space to keep her books.
Sharan Kumar Bhat, Administrative Officer of the school, saw the benches in Bangalore and suggested the same in the Hattiangadi school.
Sharmila, School Headmistress, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Residential School in Hattiangadi, said that of all the benches with the anmal characters carved on them, the ones with elephants and Mickey Mouse were the most sought after by the children. However, the children have been given benches according to their heights. They have not been given a choice, she said. Ms. Sharmila said that the brighter classroom scene has made the students more inquisitive. They enjoy sitting in the classroom now, she said.
