‘With the guidance of Apeejay Nerul teachers, my daughter easily managed her class 10 board exams without coaching classes’

Manisha Pal’s daughter Madhurima is completing her final year at Apeejay School, Nerul—she is in class 12 now. Throughout her journey at school, the exposure and encouragement she received have shaped her personality beautifully, says her mother. In an interview, the mother reveals what changed in her daughter when she was shifted to Apeejay Nerul from another school. Edited excerpts:

What attracted you to Apeejay Nerul?

Madhurima has been associated with the school since nursery. We came to Navi Mumbai from Kolkata and started looking for schools. What attracted us to Apeejay Nerul was that it promised a great parent-teacher relationship and a friendly, comfortable environment. Over the years, we developed a fantastic relationship with the school.

Back in Kolkata, when Madhurima was just three-and-a-half years old, she did not enjoy going to school. At Apeejay Nerul, however, we found that our daughter was developing an interest in studies and that was because of the academic environment at Apeejay. The school has immensely contributed to my child’s personality—I have seen a marked improvement.

How has the school impacted your child’s personality?

Madhurima usually likes to spend more time with herself. Initially, we were worried about how she would adjust to the school but at Apeejay, she has made her extended family. She was in the eighth standard when my husband got transferred elsewhere. But Madhurima was determined to stay back because she did not want to leave her school. Till class 10, she relied on self-study with commendable support and guidance from the schoolteachers. She never felt the need to join any coaching class; the teachers at Apeejay responded promptly to all her queries and doubts. She was confident that her parents and teachers would provide all the help.

Madhurima has become more confident. She has come out of her shell. She knows everybody in school. She sings well too and has won a lot of prizes. The teachers constantly encourage her.

Tell us more about the teachers’ relationship with the students and parents.

I have a very good rapport with the teachers. They are friendly and approachable including the principal and the coordinator teachers. They conducted a fantastic online session for two years. Madhurima managed her class 10 board exam with the help of online classes. In class 12 too, as per my daughter’s feedback, the teachers are good.

Is the curriculum more exam-oriented or focused on clearing concepts?

The exam focus is important since CBSE has its own terms and conditions for the school, and the teachers are required to complete the syllabus within a given amount of time. However, the teachers definitely ensure that the concepts being taught are understood completely by the students. I look forward to seeing the school further improve its infrastructure like laboratories to encourage an even better practical understanding of scientific concepts, for instance.