Hindustan Times - C fore Top Schools Survey
2012
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
A guide for
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
I
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
LIVING UP TO THEIR HERITAGE Zehra Kazmi ■ zehra.kazmi@hindustantimes.com At almost every corner in east Delhi, there It would not be an exaggeration to call Central Delhi, the locus of education in the capital. Most schools here are heavy-weights in their fields and need no introduction. Whether it is Modern School’s sprawling red-brick campus in the heart of the capital or the buildings of CJM and St. Columba’s, which stand side by side near Gol Dak Khana or the arches of DPS, Mathura Road visible from the flyover, these schools are landmarks of the city. With lack of space precluding addition of new schools, the 2012 HT-C fore Top Schools Survey features a familiar list of names. In fact, this year’s results look like a facsimile of last year’s, except for one alteration. Convent of Jesus and Mary (CJM) has found a place in the top ten, edging out Mater Dei Convent. Sanskriti School finishes top of the charts, with the highest scores in ‘teacher care and development’, ‘individual attention to students’ and ‘safety and hygiene’. Modern School, Barakhamba Road, spread over 25 acres, unsurprisingly tops the ‘infrastructure and facilities’ parameter, along with the ‘sports’ and ‘extra-curricular activities’ categories, though it has the lowest score in ‘value for money’. In third place stands Springdales, Pusa Road which is ranked first in the ‘social accountability’ and ‘life skills education’ categories. For the fourth slot, it’s a tie between Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, which tops the ‘academic rigour’ and ‘innovative teaching’ parameters, and the Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, which stands second in the ‘sports’ category. AGE : ASSET OR LIABILITY? Logistics is the biggest headache most old schools face. Replacing old systems, getting MCD permits, phasing out old material, the list goes on. “Things are far more difficult for an old school. You have to maintain your reputation, at the same
time, you cannot be a dinosaur,” says Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal, Springdales School. “You have to institute reforms, upgrade skills and facilities, work on old teachers who may have fallen into a pattern.” Agrees Anuradha Amos, principal, St Thomas’s, “We are an 81-years old institution, but there is no question of resting on our laurels. We constantly innovate, we have introduced ICT in classrooms and are planning to introduce smart boards as well. But yes, despite having two campuses, space is a problem. We would like to have another field, but there is no space to expand.” Of course, having an established name has many advantages: the vast alumni community, word of mouth goodwill and most important of all, dedicated teachers with years of experience. “In our school, independence of opinion is encouraged. I have been here for more than two decades and I don’t want to leave till I have to,” smiles Seema Narayen, who teaches English at St. Thomas’. But perhaps, the biggest satisfaction for seasoned schools is the ability to be role models for others. “Concepts like grades replacing marks, child-centered learning or community building were part of our school much before they became the norm. When it comes to educational reforms, we have always been the insiders, not outsiders looking in,” says Wattal. Inclusivity is a cornerstone of schools here. Said Amos, “As a minority institution, we are not obliged to take students from the EWS category but we still do. We are focusing on girl-child education as well as minority students.” Rubbishing the concept of ‘elite’ schools, Wattal defines a truly modern, 21st century school as one that is inclusive. “Schools in India need to look at inclusion and its different aspects —globalisation, offering a third language whether it is regional or foreign, facilitating communication and dialogue, taking students from minorities or special needs children or economically weaker backgrounds.”
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
10
TOP SCHOOLS OF CENTRAL DELHI
1
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 Central Delhi
SANSKRITI SCHOOL, CHANAKYA PURI
A centrally air-conditioned circular building houses the junior, middle and senior school libraries. The spacious gym contains a basketball court and table tennis equipment. Topped the ‘individual attention to students’, ‘competence of teachers’, ‘safety and hygiene’ parameters etc. sanskritischool.com
011-26883335
R 1,20,800 per annum
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
2
MODERN SCHOOL, BARAKHAMBA ROAD
This school is part residential thus extending opportunities to outstation students as well. It is attached to Beijing Normal University, China and conducts various international workshops. Highest ‘extra-curricular activities’, ‘sports’ and ‘infrastructure and facilities’ scores. www.modernschool.net
011-23316214
R 60,000 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
3
SPRINGDALES SCHOOL, PUSA ROAD
The school’s unique inclusive education program ensures that children with special needs and those from economically weaker sections get every opportunity to join the mainstream. Springdales has the best ‘value for money’, ‘social accountability’ and ‘life skills education’ scores.
www.springdales.com
011-25743248
R46,280 per annum
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
4
DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, MATHURA ROAD
Adventure activities such as trekking, mountaineering, camping, rock climbing etc. are regularly organized. There are over 50 clubs and activitiesplanned and conducted by students. Second highest ‘sports’ score; done well on ‘infrastructure and facilities’ and ‘social accountability’. www.dpsmathuraroad.net
011-43399200
R73,880 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
4
SARDAR PATEL VIDYALAYA*
The school is equipped with a clay modeling studio and a wood craft centre. They have started a neighborhood project in which student volunteers spend time with children from less privileged backgrounds. Tied for 4th place, the school has topped ‘academic rigour’ and ‘innovative teaching’ parameters. spvdelhi.org
011-24627344
Not Available
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
6
ST. COLUMBA’S SCHOOL*
The school promotes a healthy atmosphere for sports including cricket, football, basketball, badminton. The Columban Open Quiz competition is the biggest quiz of its kind in India. Topped the ‘value for money’ parameter; has the second highest ‘social accountability’ score. stcolumbas.net
011-23363462
Not Available
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
7
ST. THOMAS’ SCHOOL, MANDIR MARG
Students at St. Thomas’ are sensitised to the differently-abled and under-privileged communities. They also actively help various organisations supporting such causes. The school has the highest ‘value system/integration’ score, and is second in ‘academic rigour’. stthomasgirlsschool.com
011-23340224
R 33,675 per annum
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
8
BAL BHARATI, GANGA RAM HOSPITAL MARG
The school has laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Mathematics etc which give students practical experience to supplement the theories learnt in the classroom. Second highest score in ‘life skills education’; done well in the ‘value system/integration’ category. bbpsgr.edu.in
011-25723266
R 54,340 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
9
CONVENT OF JESUS AND MARY, BANGLA SAHIB MARG
The school’s Community Service club undertake projects such as literacy and educational programmes for adults and underprivileged children, field trips, health campaigns, etc for the needy. Done well in ‘value for money’; second highest ‘value system/integration’ score. www.cjmdelhi.com
011-23747061
NOT AVAILABLE
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
10 SALWAN PUBLIC SCHOOL, RAJINDER NAGAR
SPS offers a special education programme for the visually impaired students. The Salwan - AFI Athletics Academy is committed to churning out world-class athletes in field events. Done well on ‘innovative teaching’, ‘individual attention to students’ and ‘social accountability’ . www.salwanpublicschool.com
011-25864573
R 41,740 per annum
top schools HINDUSTAN TIMES-C FORE SURVEY 2012
THEY TOO MAKE THE GRADE... MATER DEI SCHOOL The school has a paper recycling plant and water harvesting plant to promote environmentally friendly behaviour. Mater Dei boasts of state–of-the-art Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math and Computer Labs which facilitate students to hone their practical skills and master a specific subject. A qualified counsellor is always at hand to answer queries from both tecahers and students.
MANAV STHALI SCHOOL The school has a computer complex with 150 computers and internet facility. Eradication of illiteracy from weaker sections of the society has been a prime objective of all the Manav Sthalians. The schools has received the UNICEF Trophy for outstanding work in the field of Adult Literacy. Inter-school competitions help students gear up for the future.
CARMEL CONVENT The school has grounds for different games such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, throwball, skating, tennis etc. To support and spread education among
With each school having different strengths, parents have many more names to choose from. Here are some other good options
the less-privileged, the schools started an Open School in its premises. A total of 500 students have registered in this program. Carmel also conducts afternoon classes for the less privileged in Hindi and English.
AIR FORCE BAL BHARTI Every class is a ‘smart’ class comprising of an interactive board, a computer, and an LCD Projector. The school also uses various educational softwares to teach science and maths to all classes. There is extra coaching for sports beyond school hours including gymnastics, cricket, football, tennis, basketball, skating and horse riding.
GD SALWAN PUBLIC SCHOOL An expanse of 6 acres comprises the school’s playground. The playground is divided into 3 fields. One is exclusively for training athletes for field events. The second consists of Cricket pitch, which consists of tournament pitch and two practice pitches,We have one Football ground and a Volley Ball Court also.
hindustantimes CENTRAL DELHI
3 10 1 8 4 9 5 2 5 7
1 3 2 5 8 10 6 7 3 8
9 7 1 3 9 2 4 8 4 6
3 1 2 5 6 10 6 4 9 8
Value for Money
6 10 4 9 6 8 1 3 2 5
Infrastructure and Facilities
3 4 2 6 1 6 9 5 10 6
Parental participation
1 2 3 5 4 7 9 8 10 6
Social Accountability
7 1 5 2 3 4 10 5 9 8
Safety and Hygiene
2 1 4 5 3 9 5 8 7 10
Life Skills Education
3 9 4 5 1 6 2 10 6 8
Value System/ Integration
Individual Attention to Students
1 3 2 4 5 7 8 6 9 10
Innovative Teaching
Sports
1 3 2 4 5 8 6 9 6 10
ECA
Sanskriti School Modern School, Barakhamba Springdales, Pusa Road DPS, Mathura Road Sardar patel Vidyalaya* St. Columba’s* St. Thomas’ School BBPS, Ganga Ram Convent of Jesus and Mary Salwan, Old Rajinder Nagar
Academic Rigour
1 2 3 4 4 6 7 8 8 10
Teacher Care and Development
NAME OF SCHOOL
Competence of Teachers
RANK
PARAMETER WISE RANKING OF CENTRAL DELHI SCHOOLS
2 1 7 3 5 4 10 7 6 9
9 10 1 6 4 1 3 7 4 8
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. Broadly, Central Delhi is represented by the area falling within the Inner Ring Road. South-East Delhi is separated from South-West Delhi by Aurobindo Marg. 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.