Education at Apeejay is not only about academics but also about imbibing the core human values encompassing honesty, compassion, empathy, fair play, courtesy, courage, loyalty and integrity. Apeejay School, Saket has been recognised for imparting value-based education, emulating the vision of its Founder Chairman Sir, Dr Stya Paul.
A great visionary, he was committed towards the cause of man-making and nation-building. He believed in nurturing young leaders and training young minds to become global ethical citizens. The school curriculum lays emphasis on the ‘holistic’ development of a child. The practice of value-oriented processes acts as the nucleus around which all school activities revolve.
All the activities have the moral fabric finely interwoven in them. The day starts with the serenity of the Morning Prayer, the thought and topic for the day. Special assemblies always centre around value-based themes which are conveyed beautifully with students sharing their feedback about the assembly to reinforce the theme.
THEMATIC ASSEMBLIES
The presentations of thematic assemblies are the hallmark of the school. Each class presents its assembly on a topical issue, enriching it creatively through music, dance, poetry, role play, panel discussions, etc. The teacher involved delivers a talk in the assembly to reinforce the theme. The class assemblies provide a platform for students, to perceive and reflect on the values depicted through the theme. All the Indian festivals, national and international days are covered during the morning assembly.
THANKSGIVING DAY
The students are taught to inculcate an attitude of gratitude by observing Thanksgiving Day. The students and staff express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the people who have touched their lives in school. It helps to foster values like modesty, kindness and gratitude amongst students.
FORGIVENESS DAY
Forgiveness Day is observed to create a sense of humility among the learners. It helps everyone to put behind their differences and renew ties of friendship among the students and staff alike, creating a very positive atmosphere in the school.
EXPRESSIONS-VALUE TALKS
In an effort to sensitise the young minds on the importance of Human Values, a value talk series, ‘Expressions’ has been initiated. Guest speakers from different fields are invited to interact with the students. The objective behind this initiative is to bring about sensitivity to social, cultural and environmental concerns and impact the young minds on various issues of concern.
GITA VAARTA
‘Gita Vaarta’ sessions are a novel initiative to inculcate values and impart knowledge/wisdom to students from the universally recognised book of wisdom 'Srimad Bhagvad Gita'. Meaningful ‘Shlokas’ from ‘Srimad Bhagvad Gita for Modern Youth’ are recited for students of classes VI-VIII by the Sanskrit teacher to inspire students to imbibe good values from people around them and develop themselves in a unique way. The didactic lecture is supported with relevant and interesting stories and classroom examples.
VALUE EDUCATION PERIODS
Special periods are allotted for value education. Topics relevant to personality development and self-awareness are covered through group discussions and debates.
Enrichment Periods: Class teachers have a special value-based topic to discuss with the students on a weekly basis. This session promises communication between the class teacher and the students.
Life Skills: It is very essential, to equip our children with life skills to enable them to make the right choices and to sensitise them to handle their emotions in a better way. This definitely helps in developing their overall personality. Regular life skills workshops are conducted using Inferential Stories, Puzzles, Open-Ended Questions, and Group Discussions.
VALUE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
To brace our learners with the right skills, various enriching Value Education Programmes have been introduced to inculcate good values. Every week one period is devoted to such programmes known as the Enrichment Period for classes I to XI. Following programmes are undertaken during this period:
Value Education Programme by CBSE
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has brought out a value Education Kit. It comprises- A Handbook for teachers and value cards. The value cards are used during the enrichment periods which are based on different value-based topics .The value-based messages are presented through Stories, Brainstorming Sessions, various interesting activities etc.
The Awakened Citizen Programme- a Value Education Programme for schools by Ramakrishna Mission.
The Awakened Citizen programme, is a 3 year graded Value Education Programme for students of classes VI, VII and VIII. It consists of a total 48 sessions of 45 minutes each and 16 modules per class. The entire programme is based on Swami Vivekananda’s, message of infinite potential in every individual which can be manifested to achieve excellence in every walk of life.
The Awakening Programme -
‘Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man’-Swami Vivekananda.
The Awakening Programme is a 5 year graded Value Education Programme, for primary school students of classes I to V is based on Swami Vivekananda’s vision of education. The programme, aims to prepare young minds to adopt noble values in their lives voluntarily and thereby helps them to respond to life’s challenges better.
This programme tries to influence children at an early stage by evoking their feelings and enabling them to think about the consequence of any action. The use of story-narratives and activities by trained facilitators in this programme aims to encourage the child to think, speak and act freely and thereby aid in their socio-emotional development.