‘I am thrilled that my daughter can speak full English sentences now’

All parents do the best that they can when it comes to their children. They want to give them what they didn’t get – be it going for international holidays, eating out, or even choosing the best school for their child – so they can have a better start in life. The same is true for the parents of Jitika Takkar who is studying in the nursery at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park.

For Nikita Sachdeva and her husband, Jatin Takkar, giving their firstborn the best possible start in life was a priority. “Having a strong foundation is of utmost importance. A solid base will help build a better life and we wanted Jitika to have the best that we could give her. We live in South Delhi and were spoilt for choice but we preferred Apeejay since we had heard good things about the school,” Sachdeva said, who is a teacher but on sabbatical at present.

Excerpts from an interview.

How and what made you choose Apeejay?

When it was time for Jitika to go to school, we were a little apprehensive about where to send her. We wanted a school that was near our home. But we also wanted a school that provided the overall development of our daughter. We asked family and friends. A cousin was a teacher at IB Board at Apeejay and recommended the school; we looked nowhere else.

What changes have you seen in Jitika since she started going to school?

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, my daughter could not attend preschool. Since she started going to school, there have been changes in her. I would say that 90 per cent is all good. She has overcome her fear of speaking, especially on the stage. Recently, there was a function in the school and she readily walked up the stage and spoke a few lines. She was even given a prize for this.

But the best part is that she has learnt to string full English sentences. This is something that I wanted her to pick up and I am thrilled she can speak the language now.

Do you have any apprehensions regarding her progress?

Her class teacher Minnie ma’am reassures me that my daughter is doing great. But I am a teacher and know Jitika’s weakness; she is still unable to write. But I am hoping that just like she can memorise things and be able to repeat them even after three months, she will catch up with her classmates.

What about teacher-parent interaction?

Both her teachers including Jyoti ma’am are really good. Both are extremely cooperative. I am so happy with the teachers and even the support staff. The teachers give us regular feedback. If I have any questions, I get satisfactory answers and solutions.

How is the equation of Jitika with her teachers? Does she like going to school?

She loves going to school. And she loves Minnie ma’am. Sometime back, she was not coming to school for personal reasons and Jitika refused to go to school. She said that if her Minnie ma’am is not there, she will not go to school. I had to text Minnie ma’am asking if she would be in school the next day; only when she said yes did Jitika agree to go to school as well.

Should the onus of teaching values begin at home or school?

I would say that parents must teach their children even before they are old enough to go to school. They must be taught how to be respectful of their elders. How will a student learn from a teacher if he/she doesn’t respect the person? The kids should also be taught to be kind and caring to their peers.

Would you recommend Apeejay to others?

I already do. I tell whomever I come in contact with how good this school has been for Jitika. It is a given that my baby boy will also go to Apeejay.