‘We want our children to grow up being humble’

Living in Mumbai and looking for a good school for your child is a cakewalk. The financial capital has a long list of very good schools that include international schools as well. However, each parent has different wants from the school – be it academics, extracurricular activities, teachers, infrastructure, or proximity from home.

The same was true for Dr Pallavi Bainade, associate professor, Department of Paediatrics, DY Patil Medical College and Hospital, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. She and her paediatrician husband, who has a clinic in Seawoods were very clear about where they wanted their son, Ved, to study once he was old enough to go to school.

“There were few things that we were looking for in a school for our son. The most important one was the proximity to our house. Apeejay School, Nerul is very near to where we stay. We didn’t want Ved to take a bus at so young an age. Since both my husband and I are working, Apeejay suited us both,” Dr Bainade said.

Excerpts from an interview.

What made you choose Apeejay for your son?

Besides proximity, a lot of people in our society’s kids have been to Apeejay School, Nerul. I heard only great things about this school, especially academics. There is a lot of focus on academics here and this was a major ask for us. We were also looking for a place where Ved could have holistic development. I had heard amazing reviews about teachers, and interpersonal relationships among students. Even before I began the process of filling out the form, I wanted this school for our son.

The admissions happened online. How was the entire process?

Yes, for Ved, the admissions took place during COVID-19 and the entire thing was online. But it was pretty much smooth. There were a couple of glitches but on the whole, it was easy to fill out the form; even the correspondence through the website was rather smooth. If I had any issues I raised them there and the queries were answered promptly.

What about the interview that happened online?

Once the forms were filled, we had an online interview – for me and my son. That too went without a hitch. The coordinator who took the interview was very much aware that the child had never been to a school and for them to give an online interview was not something that Ved was used to. But they were extremely considerate and casual about the entire process. Even the questions they asked were easy – to identify colours, described the animal and asked Ved to identify the same. He was able to ask 80-90 per cent of the questions. The exam was good, it was not for the heck of it.

“We chose Apeejay because there is a lot of focus on academics; this was a major ask for us. We were also looking for a place where Ved could have holistic development”

–Dr Pallavi Bainade, assistant professor, Department of Paediatrics,
DY Patil Medical College and Hospital, Nerul, Navi Mumbai

How has Ved fared going to school now?

To begin with, the classes were online. And the first month was a bit of a challenge because being doctors we were out the whole day even during COVID-19. We stay in a nuclear family. I have a two-year-old toddler as well. Managing the home, kids and hospital was a bit of a challenge. We couldn’t find a teacher who could help him attend online classes. But then we found a student from class XII who would come and assist him.

And then there was Tanuja ma’am. Hats off to her. She was brilliant with kids and Ved caught up with what was being taught pretty well. Now that school is offline, he loves going to school. There is a different vibe when you are in school; he loves his present teacher Maushmi ma’am. I am happy with his progress.

Have you seen changes in him since he started going to school?

There have been a few changes. He has become more social; he is more confident and independent. He loves to read and is open to reading anything that comes his way. When he is asked to read out loud in class or give a speech, it boosts his confidence. I have zero expectations from him that he has to pursue a particular profession; I just want him to be happy and content with whatever he does.

How is he different from other kids from other schools?

It was very important for my husband that our children be grounded. I see how kids from other schools are a bit arrogant. My main ask from Ved is that he has to be humble. I wanted a school where the basic values taught at home are in sync with those at the school and Apeejay is doing well in this regard.

I see the way kids hug each other when they say goodbye irrespective of who and what their parents do. There is a bond and love among all the kids; it is heartwarming to see this.

How important is it for the child to be taught to break socio-economic barriers?

It is not the child’s fault that he was born in a house where the parents are not from well-to-do family. Just because a parent is from a particular stratum doesn’t mean that you are superior to them. This is the reason why education for all is important. Providing education to all, irrespective of their background, will over time, level the playing field. This barrier is not there at Apeejay and I love it for this.

Would you recommend the school to others?

Definitely. Each institute has good and bad. But at Apeejay, the good outweighs the bad. Academic-wise the school is great, and the teachers are very good. I didn’t want my son to study in a school that doesn’t keep him grounded. I didn’t want him to go to a school that has air-conditioners. We don’t want our kids to live in a bubble.