‘Teachers here have done wonders for my son’

When this parent was exploring different schools, she was struck by the smaller class sizes at Apeejay Svran Global School, Faridabad, Sector 21 D, unlike her own school days when classes had 40 to 50 students. She felt that a limited number of students ensures every child receives equal attention, as larger groups often lead to reduced individual focus. She also admired the ‘didi system’. Support was everywhere, and it truly felt like the children were receiving close care. Meet Ruchi Munjal, whose son Japteshwar has now gone in Class V at this school.

In a candid interview, the mother talks about the other factors that made her choose this school, among other things.

How is the teaching here different from traditional methods?

Here they follow a project-based approach. They use projectors, live demonstrations, and very innovative methods. In subjects like science, they use small experiments. It helps the concepts stay in their minds because they don’t just hear and mug things up; they actually visualise and experience them. Learning feels like part of daily life, so it gets absorbed naturally.

Even English is not taught like a subject. It is more like a lifestyle. Children are constantly interacting, which builds their confidence in a very natural way. The whole approach is very interactive.

What made you choose this school?

Besides the limited number of students, the teachers and non-teaching staff were very welcoming and homely when I first visited the school. The atmosphere was warm, caring, and cosy, which made it feel like the right place for my son.

How does the school support Japteshwar when he faces difficulties?

When he joined the school, his main issue was late speech. He was fou- plus but could not speak much. Now he is a chatterbox. The credit goes to the teachers. They understood what he lacked and worked closely with him. They communicated with him in a way that helped him learn words, form sentences, and express himself. It was never about ability; we just didn’t have enough time to support him at home. I truly admire the teachers. They were more than a mother to him.

Are there any classroom or co-curricular activities that he particularly enjoys?

He enjoys everything. One thing I really like is that participation is compulsory. Whether a child likes it or not, they have to take part. Sometimes boys feel that dancing or singing is not for them, but here that mindset changes. Everyone participates. Even if the role is small or the dialogue is limited, every student is involved. That is something I sincerely appreciate about the school.

What kind of learning from school is reflected in his everyday life at home?

I would say good manners and discipline. He prepares his uniform, packs his bag, and knows exactly what to do in the morning. He is also very curious. Wherever we go, even on holidays, he tries to connect things with what he has learnt. For example, when we went to Gujarat, he asked to visit the Statue of Unity because he had learnt about it in class. When I took him to the Taj Mahal, he already knew so much because of his classroom interactions.

How is the curriculum moving away from rote learning?

Recently, for his Science class, he explained sedimentation by showing me a glass of water with mud. At dinner, he pointed out condensation by observing water droplets on a bottle. This kind of learning comes from what they do in class. Visualisation through experimentation has really improved learning.