‘I want my daughter to be compassionate’

As a parent, of a student in class I at Apeejay School, Nerul, Aastha Goel, who used to work at State Bank India (SBI), only ask from a school for her daughter, Navisha, was that it be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Both she and her husband Ankit, who is an Associate Vice-president, at Kotak Mahindra Bank had heard good things about Apeejay when Ankit’s job took him to Mumbai.

“Our extended family is in Delhi but my husband’s job brought us to Mumbai. I too used to work with SBI but left my job to look after Navisha. When it came to looking for a school for her, we asked for recommendations from people where we live and my husband’s colleagues. They all said that the school is great with excellent teachers. So, Apeejay was our first and last choice. We didn’t even look at other schools once Navisha got enrolled,” Goel says, who has now turned an entrepreneur; she makes healthy laddoos that people order from across the country.

Excerpts from an interview.

What were some of the things that you wanted from a school?

The most important thing was that the school be affiliated with CBSE. The other thing that we wanted was good teachers. A lot of our neighbours’ kids are students of Nerul. We took their feedback as well. We looked at the academic results and these were very good. In the end, we realised that Apeejay suited us perfectly and Navisha joined in pre-primary in 2020.

How did your daughter fare with online classes?

The minute she got admitted to pre-primary, the lockdown happened. So everything went online. Apeejay made the transition very fast and from April the classes went online. Navisha did well with these classes. Yes, I had to sit with her, but the teachers also ensured that the two-hour class was interactive and interesting.

I get regular feedback from the teachers. Once a month we meet and discuss Navisha’s progress which has been good to date. If I have any issues I text and get a response immediately. This is something that I like about Apeejay

–Aastha Goel, Mother of a Student at Apeejay School, Nerul

What were some of the activities that the teachers did to keep them engaged?

The good part was that the teachers used things to teach that were easily available at home. Some of the activities involved using colour. The teacher asked questions and did quizzes. This kept all the toddlers engaged and interested in the class. Looking at the practical manner in which they taught these kids was amazing. Navisha’s first teacher Tanuja ma’am, who has since retired, was very good.

How is the parent-teacher interaction?

It is very good. I get regular feedback from the teachers. Once a month we meet with them and discuss Navisha’s progress which has been good to date. If I have any issues I text and get a response immediately. This is something that I like about Apeejay.

How is Navisha doing with offline classes?

I call her class COVID-19 batch. These toddlers had never been inside a school let alone attend one. So, to begin with, it was very tough for her and us. She used to cry a lot. But slowly she settled down and since Diwali, she has finally settled down and now loves to go to school.

She also participates in all the activities that the school organises. She loves these events. When she was in the nursery, she performed on the stage with just one classmate on the pre-primary Annual Appreciation Day. She enjoyed that.

What values would you want to inculcate in your daughter?

I want her to be compassionate towards everyone – irrespective of social class. These human values need to be taught right from the very beginning. She must also learn to respect people – elders and those younger than her.

How does a parent communicate with the toddler?

Parents must watch their children; they give so many clues about what they are thinking. Give them colours. Toddlers communicate best when they are drawing. Quiz them on that. Keep an open mind and be fair. Ensure that they understand you are there for them.