‘Apeejay Panchsheel Park ticks all the boxes when it comes to admissions’

Ashish Yadav, a pilot with Indigo Airlines is the proud father of Apeejay Panchsheel Park, Nursery student Viraaj Yadav. In an interview, he shares his criteria for an ideal school for his child and the reasons Apeejay Panchsheel Park meets them. Edited excerpts:

Why do you think Apeejay Panchsheel Park is the right choice for your child?

To begin with, I wanted a school with a good reputation especially in academics. So I shortlisted some schools and Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, was one of them. Later, I got calls from two schools for Viraaj’s admission. But the reason I chose Apeejay Panchsheel Park was that I wanted a school that values inclusion. My child should not get an elitist environment at school, which would limit his exposure.

Also proximity was another reason for choosing Apeejay Panchsheel Park. I live in Malviya Nagar. So, Apeejay Panchsheel Park is hardly 500m away from my home.

Was the admission process seamless and smooth?

The admission process was cool and hassle-free. I filled the form online and submitted it. I then waited for a call from the school. I don’t have any previous connections with the school. I’m neither an alumnus nor did I have any siblings who studied at the school. So I did not get any points on that basis in the admission process. But still I was happy when the school called me up and told me that they had selected my application.

 My perspective has always been that I should send my child to a school which has an inclusive spirit. I also went to the school and interacted with the staff. It was all very good.

Have the school and the faculty lived up to your expectations?

Yes, Initially, I met Shalini Ma’am. She explained to me the entire procedure of the admission. I also went to the school premises and saw the facilities there. I wanted to see how safe it was for kids during the pandemic. She assured me with a lot of patience and care that the school would take care of everything.

Then I met the class teacher Khushboo Ma’am. I found her to be a tremendously good teacher. The kids like her a lot and love to attend her classes. I myself observed this during the online classes. I have seen her interacting very well with all the kids and giving individual attention to every student. 

What is your perception of the online classes?

Earlier, I used to think that it would be very difficult for the kids to adapt but gradually I saw that the kids are getting used to the online classes. In certain scenarios such as the pandemic, dangerously high pollution levels, the online classes are a good solution for the little kids.

As parents, through online classes we can monitor how our child is studying and how the teacher is teaching him. My wife was working earlier but she has stepped down recently. She was working as an air hostess with Indigo airlines. We have two kids, Viraaj and Praganya (the younger one). She gives her hundred per cent to the kids. We don’t have any babysitter. So, she gives her 24 hours to the kids. So that way the online classes help her keep track of Viraaj’s progress.

How has the inclusive and value-based teaching at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park impacted your child?

I have noticed that he is gelling up very nicely with his classmates. He is learning many new things from them. He has become very curious. He is always asking me a lot of questions.

The energy has to be channelled. The kids have a lot of energy at this age, which has to be channelled into the right direction. Then it will benefit them in the future.

The teachers are trying to channel his energies in the field of academics and extra-curricular activities. Whenever he does any creative activity in the school he comes and tells me, that “Today I learnt this or learnt that”. This way, I can also figure out after listening to him that he is headed in the right direction.

Any tips to parents who are searching for a good school for their child?

Yes, I would suggest that they should try to find a school which has got everything in it. Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park is a very inclusive school. Another point to keep in mind is that the academic record and the teaching staff of the school should be excellent. The teachers must not get irritated if the child asks the same question again and again. The school must have good infrastructure as well. And of course, the proximity is another point to keep in mind.

I found that Apeejay Panchsheel Park ticked all these boxes. I am very happy with the school and I am also thinking of getting my second child enrolled here as well.