‘Apeejay Noida is mindful of children’s happiness’

Smita Vohra’s children Saumya and Shaurya are students of class 5 and class 3 respectively at Apeejay School, Noida. The mother, who works as the Delivery Operations Manager at DXC Technology, stresses how the school curriculum is well-designed to avoid putting too much pressure on children. In an interview, she talks about the aspects of Apeejay Noida that she likes the most. Edited excerpts:

What made you choose Apeejay Noida for your children?

When we started exploring nearby schools, we found that a lot of children in our apartment complex were going to Apeejay. We got very good feedback from their parents who were quite satisfied with the curriculum and the school. When we visited Apeejay Noida for the first time, what we liked best was its traditional infrastructure. It reminded me of my own alma mater which was a good feeling. My daughter eventually started going to school and she liked it. Over time, I developed a very good rapport with her teachers. To date, I interact with all her teachers; there is a sense of personal touch which is wonderful.

Many schools tend to put a lot of pressure on children right from the beginning. Since my husband and I are working parents, we are unable to spend a lot of time with the kids. What I liked about Apeejay is that they do not burden students unnecessarily. Their curriculum for nursery and kindergarten was comparatively lighter, which students can manage easily. I believe that academic pressure should only increase as the child grows. That is one of the reasons I decided to enroll my son in the same school.

Are the methods used by the teachers—from thematic learning to audio-visual aid—helping children learn better?

Definitely, in fact, these are methods that I really like. Apeejay focuses a lot on practical learning through activities and while that may sometimes require some effort on the part of the parents, the method helps kids understand and retain what they learn. Meanwhile, they also develop a lot of interest in studying.

Would you say that your kids have developed the curiosity to learn beyond the school syllabus?

Absolutely! My children are always happy and eager to learn. They are never under pressure. If you want your child to participate in the Olympiads or similar events, it is your choice. However, not every child is cut out for too much pressure and Apeejay’s curriculum is well-designed keeping that in mind.

What developments have you seen in your Saumya and Shaurya respectively?

Saumya was an introvert in the beginning. Her class teacher in nursery really helped her come out of her shell. The same happened with her next class teacher in kindergarten. A child’s personality development is as important as academics. Saumya was always good in her studies—she has won gold medals–but for us, her overall development was more important. Now she has opened up, made friends, and speaks comfortably. The teachers listened to our concerns and helped us throughout.

Shaurya, on the other hand, was never shy. He is very spontaneous and willingly does whatever task you give him. He is a very happy child and that is what matters to us. For me, the foremost concern is my children’s safety. Second, they should be happy and Apeejay takes care of both these aspects.