DPS School admission - Kuwait

19th November 2011

You could perhaps say that this was one of the most important days in our life. We had to go for his school admission. We went along with other friends of ours – Kalpana-Balu (daughter – Ritika), Vidya-Hari (son – Pranav), Priya-Anand (son – Aditya) and Reshmi-Biju (daughter – Prarthana). At least all the parents were worried that their ward should get admission in the school.

We started off from our home by 6.30 to 6.45 AM as the admission process would commence by 8.00 AM. It’s called as Delhi Public School (DPS) by the Indians but registered as F.A.I.P.S. it’s about 40 kilometers in a place called as (Ahmadi) from where we live (Salmiya). It’s out of the so called city limits where the oil well companies are situated.

There were lot of skeptical questions as to which school should be preferred and whether the child should be admitted in a nearby school in the vicinity as these are mere toddlers. Dust storms a major concern in Kuwait and the impact would be much more in Ahmadi area as the desert is nearby and you can find lot of open space. Apart from this in summer temperatures would soar to 50 degree Celsius and in winter it can be bitingly cold in Jan / Feb, especially if it is windy. The school starts at 7.30 AM and the school bus would come to pick up the kids by 6.40 AM. This means you have to wake up the kid by 6.00 AM at the outset, complete the morning chores and make him ready by 6.30. His Mom has to get up by 4.45 AM so that she can feed him with milk while he is still asleep (using paladai) before he goes to school. Our son is an absolute poor eater and can survive by breathing air. Very much unlike me as far as eating habits are concerned. While I am a gourmet, he is just the opposite. Nevertheless she has to prepare some breakfast which he can take to school. Around 9.00 AM in school they break for ½ hour for having their breakfast. Unfortunately most of our kids are very poor eaters and that’s been another cause of anxiety. If the kids do not eat until 12.30, they would become somnolent and fatigued by the time they reach home. Even though the school buses are air conditioned, when the kids return from school by 12.30 noon, it would be quite hot and kids would become weary and irritant. So this is a different kind of challenge one has to encounter as an annoyed kid can be quite difficult to handle.

But once we got to the school and saw the ambience, place and how well it is maintained including the staff, we were sure impressed and decided that we definitely want our wards to be in this school. There were a lot of drawings and paintings that were struck outside and inside the classrooms as well. The pictorial scene provided for easy understanding and learning. Visual communication, especially with kids helps them relate to the concepts and grasp them quickly. Instead of learning by rote, the children get to comprehend the teaching by relating to anecdotes. This kind of learning sparks creativity and they would remember it forever. This way the principles of learning are ingrained. It was the best in Kuwait amongst the Indian schools and we sure wanted him to study in the best institution. We were of the firm belief that early foundation is quite important in the upbringing of the child and it requires to be molded from the beginning.

The interview process was like this, we were asked to form a queue and submit the application form. Then they called the kids into different class rooms where they had to go alone and perform certain tests like identification of pictures, coloring, motor coordination (tracing along the line), physical coordination and conversation. The teacher wrote comments that he walked in confidently and answered all the questions and is aware of the surroundings. His motor coordination was good and that He was a happy child and very comfortable.

Later the KG section head called the parents for a personal interview. She asked us why the mother was not working and I answered saying that we firmly decided that once the child was born mother should be at home so that she can give her undivided attention to the child. Especially here in Kuwait, since you are away from home (India) living without your parents and relatives, it was important that the child grows with all the love and affection of the parents. When asked how would you react if the child is adamant, we mentioned that we would be strict and not tolerate misbehavior at the same time tell the child that we love him.

And so the mom and dad were proud that the child was well behaved and did not cry in the school. We were quite relieved too that it went on well. It was a learning experience for us as well.

Once the interview process was over for the other kids as well, we went to Udupi and went for shopping at MAX. When we asked the Kiddo what questions were asked during the interview he did not give proper answer as usual? Anyways since the feedback was good, we were happy with that.

The admission results were announced on…and we were so tensed and nervous that his name should be there. Even before we started, Hari had reached there and had seen the results. He mentioned that all the kids’ names were available and we all had a huge sigh of relief.

#Anirud