Hindustan Times - C fore Top Schools Survey
2012
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
A guide for
hindustantimes SOUTH-EAST DELHI
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f a road takes too many turns, the best of us get lost. Welcome to Hindustan Times’e-book on Top School Survey 2012, the most credible reference guide on schools. This annual survey, our fourth, done in collaboration with the research agency C fore, is an extensively researched educational product brought out every year that is conducted for Delhi and the National Capital Region with the objective of helping parents negotiate the maze-like, and somewhat confounding, process of choosing, applying and attempting to get their wards admitted to schools in the area. The reports that accompany the Top Ten rankings are published in Hindustan Times. But what is exclusive to the e-book is the ranking of schools vis -vis each of the 14 parameters that we grade schools on. For the first time, we have provided an overall ranking for the region -- one that encompasses schools in all of the Delhi-NCR area: the six zones in Delhi and the adjoining cities of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida. Our Top Schools Survey has also focussed on various issues that affect our schools in the region, be it the new Right to Education law, the plight of government schools or the increasing threat of cyber bullying in schools. That apart, our methodology, modified by our experience of four years, has been further sharpened to give you the best results. Of course, choosing a school for a child is ultimately the decision of parents and guardians and depends on a host of factors. Our aim in this endeavour is to provide you with well-researched qualitative as well as quantitative insights to make that task a bit easier. In case you’ve missed the ongoing survey in Hindustan Times, log on to access the information on the e-book. And, as always, we would encourage you to let us know what you think of it. Your suggestions will help make our annual exercise more meaningful.
r young parents
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
HELPING SERVE THE COMMUNITY Abhijit Patnaik ■ abhijit.patnaik@hindustantimes.com
What more can one say about south Delhi’s schools? The average age of the top ten schools in south-east Delhi is 36 years. Names such as Mother’s International, Blue Bells and Don Bosco have been around a long time. This fact in itself is a testament to their success. So, what’s new? With hardly any new schools coming up in this part of Delhi, and colonies such as Saket, Hauz Khas and Niti Bagh providing an affluent catchment area, one might think that schools here are becoming complacent. Think again. The schools’ curriculum has undergone a sea change in the last few years. Schools have embraced the Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation (CCE) prescribed by the CBSE whole-heartedly. And the newest challenge schools face is posed by the Right to Education(RTE) law, which prescribes 25% reservation for students from economically weaker sections (EWS). Mother’s International School(MIS), a regular in the Top Ten, has topped the charts in the HT- C fore Top Schools Survey 2012, with the highest score in 8 out of the 14 categories schools are rated on, including ‘value for money’, ‘sports’ and ‘competence of teachers’. Amity International, Saket has come second overall, topping the ‘academic rigour’ category, pipping MIS from that coveted post. Compared to the results of the HT-C fore Top Schools Survey 2011, this year’s list of Top Ten schools has seen no change. Gyan Bharati, Saket, tied for fifth place,
is a school that has incorporated latest techniques in their teaching. “Ours is not a ‘5 question school’, where you memorise 5 questions from each chapter and it’s enough. We don’t have any prescribed books or exams till Class 8. Upto Class 4, only study materials made by the teachers are used,” said RC Shekhar, director of the school. Laxman Public School (LPS), also at number five in the rankings, has IT-enabled classrooms, something which is a given in most top schools in Delhi. FINANCING POOR STUDENTS The RTE law has put pressure on schools. To provide the best facilities, they worry about financing. “Within a few years, 25% of the school is going to be kids from economically weaker sections(EWS), so finances are a major issue. Schools like ours, where the fee structure is low, are facing difficulty. This will affect the quality of our infrastructure and teaching,” said Shekhar. The school has the second highest ‘infrastructure and facilities’ score. But schools here complain about the increase in costs — be it electricity and water or the increased salary to teachers. Despite concerns, LPS doesn’t let finances affect their social responsibilities. No wonder it has the second highest ‘social accountability’ score. “Neighbourhood children have access to our grounds and various sports academies. We have adopted three slums and are helping empower women there, give them vocational training in beauty treatment, embroidery, computers and needlework. A total of 174 students from the EWS category study in the school,” said Usha Ram, principal, Laxman Public School.
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top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
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TOP SCHOOLS OF SOUTH-EAST DELHI
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The 2012 Hindustan Times-C fore Top Schools Survey gave scores to each school across 14 parameters, from academic rigour to sports. Here’s a list of schools ranked in the Top Ten in South-East Delhi
MOTHER’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL*
The school has been adopted by the Sports Authority of India for coaching in several sports. It promotes various activities including music, painting, photography, carpentry and nature club. The school has the highest score in a host of categories, including ‘infrastructure and facilities’, ‘sports’ and ‘life skills education’. www.themis.in
011-26964140
NOT AVAILABLE
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BLUEBELLS SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL, KAILASH COLONY
The present four-storied building comprises 90 well-planned class rooms, 4 multipurpose and a well designed auditorium with the latest audio-visual technology. The school has topped the charts in the ‘extra-curricular activities’, ‘innovative teaching’ and ‘individual attention to students’ categories, among others. bluebellsinternational.com
011-29232963
R 61,800 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
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AMITY INTERNATIONAL, SAKET*
The school boasts of a well developed, progressive resource base and infrastructure that promotes interactive learning. including facilities for cricket, basketball football etc. The school has the highest score on the ‘academic rigour’ parameter, and does well on ‘teacher care and development’ and ‘value for money’. www.amity.edu
011-29561606
NOT AVAILABLE
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BIRLA VIDYA NIKETAN, PUSHP VIHAR
The school provides facilities including electronic ‘Promethean Activ’ boards and internet connection in classrooms, a computerised library, computer labs, science labs, and spaces for fine arts, music, dance etc. The school has the second highest ‘academic rigour’ score and does well on ‘competence of teachers.’ www.springdales.com
011-24116657
R 46,480 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
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GYAN BHARATI, SAKET
The school offers a myriad of activities, including an astronomy club, environment club, interact Club, a debate society, gardening, painting, embroidery, music, clay modelling, yoga and dramatics. Gyan Bharati has the second highest score on the ‘infrastructure and facilities’ and ‘safety and hygiene’ parameters. www.gyanbharatischool.net
011-26963240
R 43,500 per annum
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LAXMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
At LPS, tied at fifth place, all classrooms are IT enabled. The school also has an e -library. There are well-equipped labs that enhance practical learning of subjects. The school has the second highest score on ‘social accountability’ and ‘innovative teaching’ and has topped the ‘safety and hygiene’ category. www.laxmanpublicschool.com
011-26963240
R 61,120 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
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APEEJAY SCHOOL, SHEIKH SARAI
Apeejay has successfully integrated various computer-aided learning techniques in its teaching methodology. It uses various teaching and learning softwares. The school also has a Science Park. Apeejay has done well on the ‘sports’, ‘infrastructure and facilities’ and ‘social accountability’ parameters. www.apeejay.edu
011-26012218
R 60,000 per annum
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DON BOSCO SCHOOL*, ALAKNANDA
The school has an audio-visual room, three science labs, a well resourced library, three computer labs for students and one for teachers. The spacious playgrounds make it an enviable place to be in. Don Bosco has topped the ‘sports’ category, and has the third highest ‘value for money’ score. www.donboscoschool.in
011-29217712
NOT AVAILABLE
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
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THE INDIAN SCHOOL, J B TITO MARG
The school has its own water-harvesting plant, gym and a specially designed toddlers’ park with a large splash pool. There are also provisions for a yoga and meditation room. The school has the second rank in the ‘safety and hygiene’ category, and does well in ‘academic rigour’ and ‘individual attention to students’. www.theindianschool.in
011-26265956
R 45,825 per annum
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10 TAGORE INTL SCHOOL, EAST OF KAILASH
The school has a spacious library, a well-stocked Maths Lab and a Social science lab equipped with models, maps and charts to make learning fun. The new auditorium has a large stage, and lighting and sound arrangements. The school scores well in the ‘value system/integration’ and ‘life skills education www.tagoreint.com
011-26433001
R 58,440 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
THEY TOO MAKE THE GRADE... AMITY INTERNATIONAL The school has a football ground, basketball courts, skating rink, chess, gymnastic, karate and aerobic rooms. Time is allocated for adult education, working for the differentlyabled. The schools also has two fully equipped computer labs with the latest up dated equipment, which students can use for 24-hour internet access.
K R MANGALAM WORLD SCHOOL The school has a centrally air-conditioned building, a recording studio, tennis court, a TV/computer in every classroom and truly modern Language Labs. Foreign exchange programmes are on the anvil as well.
APEEJAY SCHOOL Apeejay has an LCD room, a small herbal park with about 25 different herbs developed to create an awareness about valuable medicinal plants and a library that has a rich collection of more than 14,000 books in different fields of study and of general nature.
With each school having different strengths, parents have many more names to choose from. Here are some other good options
AMRITA VIDYALAYAM The school has separate computer labs for senior and junior wings. Summer camps are held within school premises. Children participate in various skill-building sessions with expert guidance. There are state-of-the-art science labs for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, plus a Language Lab.
CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL The school is an epitome of holistic education. Regular school trips, overnight camps and adventure camps are organised by the school. It also conducts programmes for teaching underprivilged children.
FRANK ANTHONY SCHOOL The school’s multi-purpose computer lab is equipped with round-the-clock internet access and the latest computer journals. The school also conducts classes in drama, debate, elocution, football, cricket, basketball and volleyball. Karate classes and competitions are held regularly.
hindustantimes SOUTH-EAST DELHI
1 2 3 5 6 3 7 8 10 8
2 6 5 9 2 1 6 10 2 8
1 2 6 7 8 2 5 4 10 8
2 1 3 4 6 4 6 10 8 9
Value for Money
1 2 3 7 6 3 7 3 10 7
Infrastructure and Facilities
3 1 4 5 7 2 7 10 5 9
Parental participation
2 1 3 7 5 6 9 10 4 8
Social Accountability
1 3 5 4 7 8 5 1 9 10
Safety and Hygiene
2 1 3 6 3 5 8 10 7 9
Life Skills Education
2 5 1 2 8 10 6 6 4 9
Value System/ Integration
Individual Attention to Students
1 2 3 4 7 5 6 8 9 10
Innovative Teaching
Sports
1 2 3 4 5 8 6 7 8 10
ECA
Mother’s International* Bluebells Intl, Kailash Colony Amity International, Saket* Birla Vidya Niketan Gyan Bharti, Saket Laxman Public School Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai Don Bosco, Alaknanda* The Indian School Tagore Intl, East of Kailash
Academic Rigour
1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10
Teacher Care and Development
NAME OF SCHOOL
Competence of Teachers
RANK
PARAMETER WISE RANKING OF SOUTH-EAST DELHI SCHOOLS
1 8 6 4 2 3 4 8 6 10
1 2 3 5 6 8 7 3 9 10
Nursery fee figures, provided to HT by the schools, are approximate. They include annual fee and development charges (transport fee is variable). For the total fee amount, please contact the schools. * These schools did not participate in the survey. Their scores are based on the perceptual survey conducted among parents and teachers as mentioned in the methodology. DISCLAIMER :The survey data is a copyright of HT Media Limited, any use of this survey data would lead to infringement of their copyright and may result in legal action against the Infringer.
METHODOLOGY The survey was conducted in three phases. In phase-1, schools were invited to provide information on academic and non-academic facilities, performance of students and profile of teachers. Then, research agency C fore shortlisted schools for the second round, in which a perceptual survey was carried out with a sample of 3,000 parents and teachers across the city's six zones. They were asked to assess schools they were aware of on a scale of 10 against 14 parameters. Results of the perceptual survey were combined with objective data from the first round to rank schools. In phase-3, C fore researchers visited the schools to conduct an audit and finalise rankings. Perceptual data scores were extrapolated for schools that did not participate.