‘My daughter joined Apeejay during the lockdown and her online classes have been seamless and just perfect’

Seema Jain, a teacher working with the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, often finds herself caught up in delivering online lessons. Since the advent of the pandemic, her responsibility and commitment at her job has only increased because students require more attention during online classes in absence of physical classrooms. In an interview, she describes how teachers helped her daughter, Adya Jain, a student of class 7 in Apeejay School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, derive optimal benefit for her online lessons.

The pandemic has been difficult for students. How did your daughter manage the transition between schools?

My husband, Sanjeev Jain and I chose Apeejay School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, for our daughter last year. Since then, she has been taking online lessons and has been consistent with her studies. She has not faced any problem, in fact, she is doing very well. The transition has been smooth in her case and teachers at the school have been very understanding and supportive. I am happy with Adya’s overall performance.   

How have the teachers helped Adya in the past year?

As she joined the school in April last year, teachers have paid special attention to her. I am a teacher myself but I rarely get the time to sit with her through her classes. I honestly don’t think that is required because I am confident about my daughter’s ability.

 Has she been able to engage in extra-curricular activities?  

Adya is doing well in all her subjects and alongside, I am glad that she manages her time to participate in several activities in and outside the school. She has participated in speech and piano events and is also learning karate and Bharatanatyam. She enjoys a healthy balance of academic and extra-curriculars and gets enough time to play as well.

What is your aspiration for Adya?

I would like for my daughter to do what she wants to do. I feel that she should have a mind of her own, and I want for her to explore new things and learn them. Though, every time I ask her she says she wants to become a doctor and she seems to be keen on learning about Science. I do want her to focus on each and every subject with equal enthusiasm.  

As a teacher, what is your advice to fellow parents whose children are engaged in online learning?

I want to say that we can’t expect everything from the school. A child’s overall development stems from a collective effort and responsibility of the parents and the school. It is difficult for any teacher to monitor each and every child at all times. During the pandemic, we as parents can help our children receive personal attention and it is much-needed. Students can also do their bit to help the situation by being more attentive and adaptable.