Backbencher

We often perceive backbenchers as the least serious students in the classroom—less attentive, less responsive, and perhaps lacking in caliber. Many assume they are the ones who fail, who don’t engage, who drift through lessons without absorbing much. And while this may hold true for some, it is far from a universal truth.

So, let me ask you this:How does a classroom look from a backbencher’s view?

Didn’t quite catch that? Let me take you back to your school days. Remember those moments when an administrator or coordinator entered the classroom for a sudden inspection? Ever noticed where they usually sat?

At the back.

And why is that?

Here’s the catch: Sitting at the back gives you a broader view—an unobstructed vantage point from which you can see everything, even the little details others miss. You become an observer, someone who might not always appear engaged but actually absorbs more than most. The quiet ones at the back? They hear everything. They notice the nuances in the teacher’s voice, the side conversations, the subtle interactions.

Does this make them inattentive? Or does it give them a unique perspective?

From personal experience, being a backbencher isn’t always about zoning out. Sometimes, it’s about seeing the bigger picture. It’s about developing a perspective that goes beyond what’s written on the board. It can be a strength—if used wisely.

Because sometimes, the ones who seem the most distant… are actually the ones who see the deepest.