TalesOfTradition: ‘It feels special to return to the same school as a parent’

As this alumnus-parent of Apeejay School, Noida, walks through the campus of the school, it brings joy. “It feels quite special. After passing out, life took me to different cities and places, so it was not easy to come back to the school in that sense. But when I did return, many memories came flooding back. The school, in many ways, feels almost the same. The feeling, the environment, and even some of the teachers brought back a strong sense of familiarity,” Syed Kashan Mustafa shares, whose son, Sahir, now in Class I, is also studying here.

In an impromptu interview, he shares his son’s journey thus far, among other things.

What made you choose this school for your son?

When we were looking at schools, I was not blindly biased towards Apeejay School just because I had studied there. In fact, I was quite open to the idea that the school may have changed with time. I thought the management, the approach, and the overall system may have become different.

But when we visited different schools in our area, many of them felt very corporate-run. At Apeejay School, I felt something more authentic. It did not feel purely commerce-focused. I met my old teachers and spoke with them, and that reassured me.

What are some of the values that have stayed with you?

One value that stayed with me is the importance of speaking your mind. Another is the value of completing something once you have taken it up, even if it is difficult. These are things that remain with you and shape the way you think and work later in life.

How has your son’s experience been in the last two to three years?

He is still too young to fully articulate his experience, but I can see that he is happy in school. For me, that is the most important thing. Now that the schools are opening after the summer vacation, he is excited about going back. That, for me, is a very positive sign.

How have the teachers helped your child feel comfortable and confident?

It comes through in the way the teachers communicate with children. They speak to them very personally. Even small gestures, like bending down while speaking to a young child and actually listening to them instead of simply talking down to them, make a big difference.

What changes have you noticed in your son over the last few years?

Academically, he has started reading, and he seems to be enjoying that process. Personally, I have seen a significant change in him. He is not naturally very social, and before school. Over time, he opened up. He made friends and now has a few close friends in class. He also remembers his teachers very fondly. Sometimes, we may forget a teacher’s name, but he remembers.

What does the Apeejay family bond mean to you, first as an alumnus and now as a parent?

It has always meant a lot to me because it is the only school I have gone to. So, as an alumnus, the bond has always been strong. What stands out for me is the connection with teachers. Even after studying further and moving into higher education, it is rare to come across teachers who leave such a deep impression. Now, as a parent, that connection has become more regular. Every time we go for a PTM, we bump into an old teacher or someone familiar. It feels very different and very personal.