‘The teachers at this school are supportive and helpful’

When it comes to the education of their children, parents are extremely discerning. They spend hours on end searching for the best school for their ward – be it researching online, looking for recommendations from family and friends, or going to the school to check out the campus and check out the facilities.

When you happen to be doctor-parents you become a little more vigilant when it comes to choosing the school for your child. Meet Dr Manu Trehan, whose daughter – Pavani – studies at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park in class X.

In a candid interview, the parent talks about the importance of spending quality time and why she chose this school.

How and why did you choose Apeejay?

My daughter has been at this school since nursery. At the time, we had filled up all the forms of the schools to be on the safer side. I am from Delhi and did my schooling at Presentation Convent School. Even back then, I had heard about Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai (that was the name back then). Some of my friends were alumni of this school and had good things to say about the school. When my daughter got the admission I went ahead and enrolled her.

Did you have a checklist while selecting the school?

I didn’t have a list per se. But yes, my husband and I had a few asks from the school – it should have a good academic record together with well-balanced extracurricular activities. This is because the two when clubbed together bring out the personality of the child. The good part was that Apeejay had both.

Being in class X can be stressful for the child. How do you deal with it?

I ensure that I don’t give her any stress. What adds to my advantage is that she is self-motivated and studies on her own.  I don’t have to ask her to study. While she is studying, I don’t tell her how to study. Another advantage is that the teachers take good care. They give enough assignments, sample papers, and questions for the students to practice. Her first-term exams just got over and the results are out; she had done well. So I am happy. I tell my daughter to ‘treat the Boards like any other exam – give your best shot and leave the rest’.

Advice to parents who stress their kids out.

This is subjective. Some children need to be prodded. If there are kids who don’t study, it follows that their parents push them to do so. Our system is such that if you don’t score well you don’t get a good college, and you don’t get into a good professional course.

Both you and your husband are doctors. How do you spend quality time with your daughter?

First, we ensure that we are there for her whenever she needs us – be it academically or personally. Second, we spend at least two hours with her just talking about different things. Things that are not related to studies. When we are with her, we ensure that there are no gadgets around – no TV and no smartphones.

Apeejay believes in holistic development. How evident is this?

Pavani is an introvert and shies away from being in the limelight. Unlike other schools where participation in events and functions is compulsory, Apeejay makes it voluntary. This makes it easy for my daughter to take the backseat. However, she has a scholar badge and she is comfortable walking to the stage and taking her certificate. But that doesn’t mean the school doesn’t have these activities and functions.

Would you recommend this school to others?

Definitely. My daughter’s progress here is satisfactory. It is a very good school. The teachers here are nice and supportive. They ensure that the student understands what they are trying to teach. Their instructions to the students are very clear. Even during the online classes, they ensured that the students understood what they were teaching.

My younger one would have also been in this school but that year, due to construction, the school was not taking new admissions. Otherwise, he too would be studying at the Panchsheel Park branch.