‘My daughter has made progress due to hard work of the teachers’

Not all parents make a checklist when it comes to looking for the school for their toddler. They only want one thing – proximity to where they are living. The fact that the particular school has great infrastructure and even better teachers is icing on the cake. The same was true for Farogh Haider and his wife Hera Abidi when they started looking for a nursery school for Sakeena Zahra.

“We live in South Delhi and Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park is a stone’s throw away. Every time we used to pass the school, I used to tell my daughter that I would do my best to ensure that she got admitted there. So much so that she started referring to Apeejay as her school. As luck would have it, she got the admission here,” Haider said, who is a Project Lead with Cargo Flash Infotech Pvt Ltd.

In an impromptu interview, this software engineer talks about how he has made a conscious decision to not pressurise his daughter with studies at such a young age given that she had not even gone to a preschool.

How and why did you choose Apeejay?

The school is on my way to the office. When we shifted to this area I was very clear that I wanted Sakeena to study here. Unlike most parents who have a checklist and tick-off boxes, my wife and I never went through this exercise. I wanted a school that was within walking distance from home and I am grateful to God that she got admission here. I was also aware that the school has a great reputation.

Are you satisfied with the progress that your daughter has made?

Definitely. Given that she never went to a preschool, her learning curve has been tremendous. She is among the top 5 students in her class and her class teacher Meenakshi ma’am has been the reason why Sakeena has been doing so well in class. Each day she gets a star for all the work that she does.

How was her first day in school?

It was very good. I am happy to say that she had no problems settling down in the class from Day 1. She is a bit shy and an introvert. Even at home, she prefers to keep quiet; we have to pry information from her. Most toddlers her age are chatty and want to talk about school. She prefers to keep things to herself.

My daughter is coping with whatever is being taught. The teachers give attention to each child equally. My wife is a bit apprehensive about the progress that our daughter is making but I feel that Sakeena should be allowed to set her pace

–Farogh Haider, Parent of a Student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park

What is the teaching methodology?

It is not complicated and Sakeena is coping with whatever is being taught. The teachers give attention to each child equally. My wife is a bit apprehensive about the progress that our daughter is making but I feel that Sakeena should be allowed to set her pace. It has not even been a year since she started going to school and already she has learnt so many things. I am happy.

How is the parent-teacher interaction?

We attend parent-teacher meetings whenever they are held. With so many kids, it is not possible to spend with one parent for very long. But still, Meenakshi ma’am makes it a point to give us Sakeena’s progress. She says that her progress is excellent. So we are happy.

Does she like going to school?

Definitely. But it is winter and getting up in the morning can be a chore sometimes. Our only complaint is that she never shares what happens in school. Overall, she is an intelligent girl though a little sensitive. So, as parents, we are not very sure if there is too much of a learning burden on her.

How easy was the admission process?

It was rather smooth. We didn’t have any issues. After filling up the form online, we had to physically submit the form at the school. This process was simple and easy as well.

Is there a lesson you would like her to learn from now?

I don’t believe in putting pressure on a child. She is only four and already participated in extracurricular activities that the school has organised thus far. The child learns by watching others. As long as we, as parents, behave well in society, the child will follow suit. Parents must lead by example.