‘My daughter loves all her teachers at this school’

For Deepmala Mukherjee, HR head at ATS Services Pvt Ltd in Faridabad, and her husband who works with American Express, choosing Apeejay School, Faridabad came organically. Though the parents filled out admission forms for other schools as well, once they got a call from Apeejay, they chose to not look any further.

“Even when I was growing up, I had heard of Apeejay and the value that was attached to studying at such a prestigious school. The school even back then had a brand. Over the years, I heard only good things about this school. After I got married and moved to Faridabad, it was a foregone conclusion that my daughter, Breonna Mukherjee Raha who is now in KG, would go to Apeejay School, Faridabad in Sector 15,” Deepmala said.

In a candid interview this HR professional talks about her daughter’s progress since going to structured learning and the need for reskilling to further one’s career path.

How was the admission process?

It was very smooth. We filled out the form online; there were some questions that we answered. The admission took place during COVID-19. First, we met the pre-primary headmistress, back then it was Ms Monica. She asked Breonna a few questions. She asked us a few questions as well. After this, we met Ms Parul, the principal of Apeejay School, Faridabad. Everything went off smoothly.

As parents, we also wanted to see the school building and the infrastructure that it was offering. We wanted to meet the teachers as well.

What was your reaction when you saw the school for the first time?

It was satisfactory. I really liked it. It reminded me of my school where I was a hosteller. I know of schools that are four floors; this was not something that I wanted for my daughter. I wanted a school that didn’t have too many floors. Also, a good thing that I noticed was the huge playground that Faridabad school has.

Did you sit down to make a checklist?

Yes, I had a rough list of things that I wanted from the school. First, the school has a brand name. Second, how things were taught in the class. It was different when I was in school. Today, it is a different ballgame. Three, I wanted to know what and how the parent-teacher interaction was. One can gather a lot when you speak with the teachers – whether they are lenient, or strict, or is the school focused only on academics, or is there scope for co-curricular activities? Once we got the call from Apeejay, we didn’t go to any other school.

Did she find it tough to settle in since your daughter never went to a preschool?

We were the ones who had a few concerns since my daughter is very small. We wanted to see the washrooms and how she would manage them on her own. But from Day 1 she adjusted very well. She didn’t even cry. And fell in love with the school. During her winter break as well she wanted to go to school and meet her teachers and friends.

The school’s infrastructure was satisfactory. It reminded me of my school where I was a hosteller. I wanted a school that didn’t have too many floors. Also, a good thing that I noticed was the huge playground that Faridabad school has

–Deepmala Mukherjee, HR head at ATS Services Pvt Ltd and Mother of Student at Apeejay School, Faridabad

Does she have a favourite teacher?

She has three – her class teacher Seema ma’am; her Sports teacher Shanti ma’am and even her dance teacher Prerna ma’am.

What are some of the co-curricular activities that she is part of?

You name it and she participates – be it dance, music, recitation, or any competition that the school organises. She also takes part in inter-school competitions and won many awards – she was adjudged No 2 at the inter-school competition that was held at Manav Rachna School; she got the second position at a competition that was organised at Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park. Even in class, she is doing very well. She loves learning new words, doing yoga, and listening to stories. Whatever is taught in class is repeated at home.

What is the teaching methodology?

I am very happy. Breonna is coping very well. She adapts to everything that happens in the school. In case she misses a class, her teachers ensure that she catches up with the rest of her peers. If she gets assignments on days she is not in school, she completes them on her own and I send them to her teachers. She has become an extrovert as well thanks to her teachers.

You are in HR, are people wanting to reskill themselves?

Yes, people want to reskill themselves. We have to keep up with changing technology. If we don’t re-skill ourselves, we will become redundant very fast. Employees understand this need to enhance their knowledge and keep up with the latest innovations.