During every online session, my son looks forward to seeing his teachers on-screen

Motherhood is a full-time job in itself and having children they say, ‘puts the whole world into perspective.’ The saying stands true for Dr. Ritu Binjola, mother of Medhansh Kumar, a student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. Dr. Binjola works at Max Hospital, Saket as a senior resident in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. In an interview, the doctor-mother explains how her son, Medhansh has become more vocal since his enrollment at the school. Edited excerpts:  

How did you come to know about this school?

While searching for a good school to enrol my son, I read very good reviews about Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. I then contacted my friend and colleague who is a nephrologist and an alumni from this school. He strongly recommended Apeejay, remarking that its faculty and infrastructure is ideal. Since the branch was close to my residence, I chose the school.  

How has your experience with the school been, of online classes in particular?

Yes, I must say that I was earlier very sceptical about the online mode of teaching-learning. I personally prefer the offline mode because I have studied that way all my life. During the admissions, and that was when the Covid-19 second wave was at its peak, I was not sure how the classes would happen. However, once he was enrolled and the way I saw the teachers interacting with my son, it was commendable. They put in a lot of hard work and effort in making students learn. Throughout the session, they keep students’ attention on the screen and that is a big thing. I want to mention Khushboo Ma’am at the school, his class teacher, who is very good at handling children. My son looks forward to seeing her. She is his favourite teacher. 

Any interesting developments you noticed in your son?

It is very exciting to see that everything Medhansh learns at school, he makes sure to teach that to everyone in the house. We live with my parents, so he teaches them all that he has picked up at school. He has become a lot more vocal and he loves talking to his teachers.

Is teaching-learning different at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park?

Well, it is quite different from our days. Teachers have made everything very easy and comprehensible for students. At the primary classes, students learn about phonics, thematic, letters etc. Kids nowadays start reading efficiently in class Nursery itself and that leaves me in wonder. Through small show-and-tell activities, kids become aware about a lot of new things. Daily the school conducts a set of extra-curricular activities such as yoga, dance, music, craft etc. My son, Medhansh, really enjoys these.

Since you are a working parent, has managing your son’s classes become easy for you?

The best thing about the school is that they put thought into everything, and they have covered this aspect by spreading the classes in two sessions. This is very helpful for working parents like me. A few of my colleagues whose children are studying at different schools have a tough time managing their classes because they are mostly conducted in the afternoon. At Apeejay, classes take place in two slots. Since I am a doctor, I sometimes have night duties and that is why these flexible slots work miraculously for me.