‘My daughter hates missing even a single day at this school’

Indian parents often stress a lot while choosing a school for their child due to several reasons deeply embedded in the cultural and societal context. Education is often seen as a top priority and a pathway to success. Parents want to ensure that their children receive the best possible education to secure a prosperous future.

Reputed schools often have a strong network of alumni, and parents may believe that being part of such institutes can provide valuable social connections and opportunities for their children in the future. For this, parents do a lot of research and look for recommendations from family and friends. Meet one such parent Srujanika Pradhan.

In a candid interview, she talks about why she chose Apeejay School, Nerul for her daughter Sanvi Bhoi, who is now in class VII.

Why and how did you choose this school for your daughter?

Back when my husband (Sandip Kumar Bhoi) and I were looking for a school for our daughter we did a bit of research. We got great feedback from different parents. There were some parents in our society who also recommended this school. Also, we live in the SBI Colony and the school is near to where we live. So that was also one of the main factors. But above all, the school has a great reputation — due to excellent results and good teachers.

How important is that for a parent that the school is near?

It is important. It saves a lot of time, and the kids feel like it is near to the house. If anything is required, they feel a little more homely. It’s crucial because starting school is a very early age for a child, then adjusting to different new faces, new teachers, and new friends; everything new can be a bit daunting. Knowing that the parents are only a few minutes away settles the child.

How do you deal with your child’s teenage mood swings?

There are some challenges. And there are days when she may not be in a happy mood. But overall, my daughter is disciplined. I don’t have to work a lot on dealing with these issues. She is responsible and has the quality to do things on time. She was the head girl two years back. Academically, she has been among the toppers. So, from a study point of view, there are no issues at all. I wanted her to be independent since she was in class III. I just look into whether she is managing or not. Otherwise, she is quite independent.

How did you make her independent?

From the beginning, my daughter used to tell me that the teaching was quite good at Apeejay. She used to discuss things about her day. I used to hear stories from her side about what happened, apart from studies. She is quite friendly and shares everything. So, slowly I realised that required very little interference from me. Even my husband encouraged me to let her be for a while. We found that she coped well. Today, we rely on the teachers at the school.

How are the teachers at the school?

The teachers are good. In fact, very good. What I like about this school is that it’s not just about teaching. They also focus on other activities like sports, dance, and other events. My daughter never wants to miss a single day of school.

How has holistic development contributed to Sanvi’s confidence?

Since the school believes in holistic development, over the years my daughter has become confident. This is because she is good at studies thanks to the teachers. This indirectly or directly, builds confidence. I am from Odisha. My daughter learns Odissi. Due to this, she gets the opportunity to participate on the stage at various functions. This has added to her overall confidence.

If you had to pick one thing that you like about this school, what would that be?

It would be the excellent teachers — that has been my experience. The teachers here are supportive and cooperative. There are monthly meetings held on weekends, and we are happy with everything at the school.