Delhi Public School or DPS, as it is commonly called, is one of the bestknown school brands in the country.With over 150 schools spread across various cities in India and 10 other countries,the brand's recall value among respondents of the HT-C fore school survey in Faridabad was very high.
A close look at the functioning of DPS Faridabad, which topped the list of ten best schools in the city, went a long way in understanding why the school that imparts education to over 4,000 students under the CBSE board is a favourite among teachers and parents in Faridabad.
DPS Faridabad scored high in segments pertaining to the competence of its faculty (8.3 out of 10) and the range of courses it offers against the fees it charges (7.6).
It would be unwise to disregard the DPS-brand factor while evaluating the strong positive response the school garnered.But the role of teachers was an aspect that almost all respondents of the survey spoke about.
Shail, mother of Raghav Gupta (Class12) chose to send her second child to DPS, though her elder son was studying in a different school.
Talking about the positives of DPS Faridabad, she says, "The teachers here are better. Children are… used to tests, so they don't feel the pressure during board exams."
{{/usCountry}}Talking about the positives of DPS Faridabad, she says, "The teachers here are better. Children are… used to tests, so they don't feel the pressure during board exams."
{{/usCountry}}Jooni Nauriyal, one of the teachers, has taught Physics in the school for 12 years. One who alludes to cricket run rates to explain the meaning and concept of velocity in the classroom, Nauriyal says "as a teacher you have to be thorough with your subject".
The school also trains teachers and some senior students in playing the role of counsellors to help children discuss issues they can't normally talk about at home.
For Nauriyal, this is the most unique aspect of her work. "We are supplementing the role of parents …I have never done this in other schools," she says.
Started in 1995, DPS Faridabad now has a total of 4,168 students. While they are taught to stay a cut above competition, values also find an important place in their learning, says Stalin Malhotra, Director of DPS, Faridabad.
“Sensitivity towards people is (also) important. If some of our students go on to become doctors or lawyers some day, they must have a strong sense of ethics."
But there is always room for improvement.
Inside sources say the school's relatively high student-teacher ratio (22 students per teacher) is not the best in town. Parents have allegedly had to carry their child's photograph when they went to meet the teacher to know about their child's performance in school.
Another fact that did not go down too well with the parents was that parent- teacher meetings are held only twice a year. The limited interaction between parents and teachers is another concern the school should address.
(We are supplementing the role of parents (at Delhi Public School Faridabad)… I have never done this in any other school.Jooni NauriyalPhysics teacher)
1. DPS FaridabadNumbers:4,168 students, 190 teachersBoard: CBSEAcademic rigour: Toppers of Class 10 and 12 for 2008-09scored 97.8 per cent and 94.2 per cent, respectively.Money matters: Admission charges 2009-10: Rs 15,100;Annual charges: Rs 14,000; tuition fee (monthly): Rs 2,150Website:www.dpsfbd.com
2. Modern Vidya NiketanNumbers: 6,418 students; 333 teachersBoard: CBSEAcademic rigour: Toppers of Class 10 and 12 for 2008-09 scored 98.2per cent and 96.2 per cent, respectively.Money matters: Annual fee details not availableNursery admission: No written or oral tests. From Classes 1 to 9,admissions depend on vacancies, entrance and interview held.Website:www.dpsgurgaon.org
3. Apeejay schoolNumbers: Not availableBoard: CBSEMoney matters: Annual fees not availableNursery admission: Written test and an interview for admission toprimary and middle classes; admissions to Class 12 for Science,Commerce and Humanities on merit basis.Website:www.apeejay.edu/faridabad
4. Carmel ConventThe school affiliated toCBSE sets aside two days each week for imparting 'value education' to the students. It has Classes from 1 to 10, and ranks third in terms of courses offered against the fees charged.There is room for improvement when it comes to competence of faculty. It ranks seventh among the 10 schools on this count.
5. Saint Joseph's Convent SchoolThe school is popular among parents in the Faridabad region, andranks fourth in terms of individual attention paid to students. But itranks at the bottom half (seventh position) when it comes to infrastructure.
6 .Eicher SchoolNumbers: 1,800 students, 108 teachersBoard: CBSEAcademic rigour: The school’s pass percentage for both Class 10 and Class 12 Boards in 2008-09 was 100 per cent.Money matters: Rs 25,000- Rs 26,000 (annual fees).Nursery admission: Admission is generally granted on a first-comefirst-serve basis after an informal interaction with the child and the parents.
7. Tagore AcademyNumbers: Not availableBoard: CBSEAcademic rigour: Class 10 and 12 toppers (for 2008-09) scored 95.2% and 96% respectively.Money matters: At the time of nursery admission: Rs 12,500; annual fees in higher classes: Rs 20,075Nursery admission: A first-come-first-serve policy is followed for admissions into primary school. Candidates for higher classes have to pass an admission test.
8.Modern SchoolModern School, with 1,600 students and 90 teachers, stood eighth in the survey. The school comes under the CBSE board and is known for the impressive academic performance of its students.
9. DAV Public SchoolNumbers: There are 40 students in each class. The student-teacher ratio (number of students per teacher) is 22:1Board: CBSEAcademic rigour: In 2008-09, 40 out of 344 students scored over 90 per cent in Class 10 board exam. Out of 417 students in Class 12, 10 scored over 90 per cent.Money matters: Rs 4,000 (annual fee)Nursery admission: Chat with child and parents for admissionWebsite:www.dav14faridabad.org
10. Bhagwan Sri Ram's AcademyNumbers: 375 students; 16 teachersBoard: HaryanaMoney matters: The annual fee ranges from Rs 1,200 for primaryschool admission to Rs 3,600 for higher classes.Nursery admission: Admission on first-come-first-serve-basis.