‘Apeejay Noida strikes a balance between academics and extracurricular activities’

Mr. Arjun Mukundan is Senior Manager Pre- Sales with Incedo Inc. His son Vihaan Mukundan is a class 3 student at Apeejay Noida. In a brief interview, Mr. Mukundan highlights how the school strikes a perfect balance between academics and extra-curricular activities. Edited excerpts:

Why did you choose Apeejay Noida ahead of other schools for Vihaan’s admission?

We had a few students in our neighborhood who were studying at Apeejay Noida. So we got firsthand information from them about the curriculum, teachers and the school infrastructure.

My eventual goal was to choose a school that offered a good balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Apeejay Noida had sufficient pace and rhythm in its extracurricular activities so I gave it a higher weightage when compared to other schools in the neighbourhood. There is a special emphasis on sports and the sports infrastructure in the school attracted my attention. Also, the class 10 and 12 results of Apeejay Noida students were another reason.

Please tell us a bit about Vihaan and take us through his progress at school?

Vihaan is very interested in languages. He cherishes English and Hindi a lot. We often see some non-English or non-Hindi films at home on Netflix. We watch Korean films or French films and I have observed that Vihaan enjoys the languages. He has good eye-leg coordination and loves playing football. He is very good at it. He is also undergoing training as a vocalist and has participated in some of the class level programmes.

Are the teachers engaging well with the students?

I am satisfied with the level of teaching. All the teachers are doing a fine job especially after considering the number of students in the class. They are very cooperative as educators.

What is the best thing about Apeejay Noida?

I think it is the fact that the school strikes a balance between academics and extracurricular activities.

How has the experience of the online classes been for Vihaan?

He attended the school physically in Nursery. The first and second standards were attended virtually. It was good overall. I do feel that small kids have a shorter attention span and as a result they need to be constantly brought back to focus by the mother or parent sitting beside them. Also, the huge screen exposure is not very nice. Otherwise all the classes were happening regularly. He was attending them and was an active participant in the same.

Now that the physical schools have reopened, is Vihaan happy to be back at school?

The initial apprehensions were there. Waking up early in the morning, boarding the school bus, then back to home in the afternoon in this heat. It was taking a toll on him but he has gradually adjusted. Now, he is happy going to school.