Interviews
‘This is the best school for my son’
Father of Kushagra Chhauda, who is in the nursery at Apeejay School, Faridabad says that he would never change the school if it were up to him
All the children of the Chhauda family are students of Apeejay School, Faridabad. So, this parent didn’t need to be sold on the idea of sending his son, Kushagra Chhauda, who is in the nursery at Apeejay. He and his wife Vijay Bala, a teacher herself, already know the good work that the school had and has been doing with the past and present students.
In a candid interview, Gopal Mohan Chhauda, who is self-employed, talks about the excellent teachers at Apeejay and the tremendous progress his son has been making since school went offline.
How and why did you choose Apeejay for your son?
I would say that it is our family school. We are four brothers and all our children go to the Faridabad school. There was no question or even a speck of doubt in our mind about where to send Kushagra. He began his preschool at Rhythms (Apeejay) itself.
I too had, at a point, when I was in class X wanted to study at Apeejay but unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut that the school required back then. But I had made up my mind to send my kids to this school come what may. So far, I have not been disappointed.
What are some of the changes that you have noticed in your son?
There have been so many and each one of them has been extremely healthy. Today, kids already have access to mobiles which is the case with my son. He has so much information because of the YouTube videos that he spends his time watching. But despite this, once the classes became offline he has become a healthy and happy-go-lucky child.
What are some of the things that he has picked up?
I would say that his communication has improved drastically. He has become friendly and has even learnt to share things. He has also become respectful toward elders. I would give credit for this to his teachers like Preeti Kataria ma’am and Gurvinder Kaur ma’am.
Do you get regular updates from teachers?
My wife goes to pick up Kushagra every day from school and she speaks with the class teacher daily. Ma’am points out his areas of improvement and congratulates him on areas where he has made progress. For example, my son knows the alphabet – all in Capitals; he recognises them. But he blunders when it comes to small alphabet recognition. So the teacher told my wife that she would take one alphabet at a time and familiarise him to make it easy for him.
What is the teaching methodology?
It is very good. It was Kataria’s ma’am idea to make things comfortable for my son and make learning easy for him. The teachers ensure that the learning is interactive. The teachers have created an environment where the kids can speak freely with the teachers.
“My son’s communication has improved drastically. He has become friendly and has even learnt to share things. He has also become respectful toward elders. I would give credit for this to his teachers like Preeti Kataria ma’am and Gurvinder Kaur ma’am”
-Gopal Mohan Chhauda, Father of Kushagra Chhauda, who is in the nursery at Apeejay School, Faridabad, Sector 15
How is the school environment?
I think Apeejay has the best environment among all the schools in Faridabad; it is very healthy. Maybe I am biased but that is how I feel. If I had my way, I would never change his school as far as possible unless my work takes me out of Faridabad. My child is happy so I am happy.
As a parent, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our children. From the guard to the teachers, everyone ensures that the kids are safe. The guard at the gate always smiles, this makes it easy for the toddlers. I love the whole school campus; it is so green and welcoming.
What is the best thing about Apeejay School in Faridabad?
To be honest, there is not one but several things that makes this school the best in the area. The teachers are excellent, their environment is safe; even the administration staff is so friendly.
Would you recommend the school to others?
Well, there is a game that my son and I play – it is a rhyme that we sing – Yippee Ya Ya, Yippee Ya Ya, Apeejay is No 1, Apeejay is No 1. This I think sums up everything there is to say about this school.
