‘Trust brought us here, and Apeejay School held it up’

One thing this parent values most about Apeejay School is the trust factor, which came through a close friend’s recommendation, along with the school’s proximity to home. Meet Gaurav Batra, father of twins Annish Batra and Yuvaan Batra, students of Class 5A at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park.

In an interview, Gaurav Batra shares his thoughts on the school’s infrastructure, safety, and overall academic approach.

Why did you choose Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park?

It was near my house, and one of my close friends had his kids studying there previously. So they gave the reference, and because of the trust I have in my friend, I went ahead with it as it gave me a fair amount of confidence. That was back in 2020, almost six years ago now.

Q: Regarding the school’s infrastructure, what are your thoughts?

Whenever I have visited the campus, whether for a PTM or any other school event, I have generally found the facilities to be clean and well-maintained. The library and computer labs seem to be in good shape. I haven’t come across any complaints from either Annish or Yuvaan regarding the classrooms or campus either.

As a parent with two children currently studying there, I think consistent maintenance matters a lot, especially with younger kids around. From what I have observed over the years, the school has managed to keep things in reasonably good condition. 

Do you feel there is safety when students interact with staff or move between different floors? 

Overall, in terms of general safety and how staff interact with the children, I haven’t had any major concerns. My kids move around different areas of the school for various classes and activities, and so far, that hasn’t worried me.

Does the syllabus and teaching approach prepare students for the future?

It is aligned with future aspirations. There should be a good balance between academics and cultural activities, because academics isn’t the only thing when it comes to a career. So a child’s learning has to happen from all dimensions; it has to be 360-degree learning, which I am seeing over here.

From what I have seen, the syllabus and teaching methods at Apeejay are fairly in line with what today’s education system demands. The teachers do put in effort to make sure students grasp concepts properly rather than just following a fixed routine.

How about teachers’ behaviour with parents and students?

Whenever my wife and I have gone in for PTMs, the teachers have generally been receptive to whatever we have said, whether it’s about academics or anything else concerning Annish or Yuvaan. They listen to our concerns and try to work with us on how to help the children improve.

I wouldn’t say every interaction has been perfect, but by and large, the teachers seem approachable and willing to engage in a constructive conversation rather than being dismissive. 

How important are factors such as extracurricular activities, sports, arts, or other opportunities in the school?

Since my children are still young, I think this is the stage where exposure to sports, arts, and other activities really shapes their overall personality. Both Annish and Yuvaan are involved in various activities at school, including swimming, and I think it’s important for the school to continue encouraging this kind of participation.