‘I always recommend this school to other parents’

It had always been this parent’s dream to study at Apeejay School, Saket. But back then, her parents put her in a government school and she was happy there. However, she vowed that when she got married and had children, they would study at this branch of Apeejay.

But as luck would have it, when her daughter was born, Anuradha Thakur, who worked in the shipping sector, over a period of years tried to get her admitted to this branch but she didn’t succeed.

“I tried so many times but I could never get my daughter’s admission at Apeejay School, Saket. She eventually ended up studying at New Green Fields School. She has since then passed out. However, I think it was destined that my child will study at Apeejay. Years later, when I was blessed with a boy, I applied again and this time, Viraaj, who has recently gone into class I got admitted in the nursery,” Thakur said, who is a homemaker.

Excerpts from an interview.

How does it feel that finally, your child is at Apeejay?

As I mentioned, I always dreamt that my children would study at this school. When I was a student and saw the students of this school, I was awed; they looked so good and spoke so well. So, my son finally got admission here, my happiness knew no bounds. I was beyond thrilled. When it came to his admission, I had not tried any other school. I am thankful that he got through.

What is the best thing about this school?

I would say the fact that the principal is always on the rounds and interacting with the students. Mist principals would not do this. There have been times when he has been spotted in the playground. He is very good. Not only this, but he is also there to greet the students at the gate most days. Some days, he would pick up a toddler, hug him and speak with him/her; it is truly amazing.

My son is doing well in his class. What I like about this school is that his speaking skills have improved. Today, he speaks better English than I do. This makes me happy

–Anuradha Thakur, Mother of a Student at Apeejay School, Saket

How are the teachers here?

When you have a good principal, teachers will be good as well. Viraaj’s teachers are all very good. They are always there for him. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the classes were online, they paid attention to the students equally. My son loves his teachers, especially Heena ma’am. She was excellent. The other day he came home and said that his teacher told him that she is his friend, he was so happy.

Why should the teacher be a friend? Would this not cross the guru-shishya relationship?

The guru-shishya relationship will always be there as will the respect for the teacher. But when a teacher says she is a friend, the student is bound to be more open and share a lot of things. Unless or until the student has an honest and trustworthy relationship with the teacher, learning can be tough.

What has been the learning for your son?

He is doing well in his class. What I like about this school is that his speaking skills have improved. Today, he speaks better English than I do. This makes me happy.

You live in a joint family. How do you teach him to respect his elders?

Children always observe their parents and follow what they do. While my husband and I tell him the importance of discipline and respecting elders, he does it on his own. Sometimes, he doesn’t want to speak to his maternal grandparents who live in Himachal Pradesh. Instead, he will write them a short letter which I then share on the phone. My mother-in-law lives with us. Whatever he eats, he gives it to her first.

Would you recommend Apeejay to other parents?

I do this all the time. So much so, that at times, it becomes embarrassing. Whenever I meet a parent whose child is not in Apeejay, I tell them they must shift their kid to this school. Even my brother’s and sister’s kids study in the school – one is in class 1 and the other in class II.