A sub city of schools

What is it that a family wants in life? A nice income which helps lead a comfortable life, a roof overhead where the family lives happily and a good school for their children such that their potential is met, isn’t it? As soon as Dwarka saw a rise in tall buildings, the vast space also gave scope for the rise in numerous schools which would educate the wards of the residents. This in turn has given birth to a miscellaneous social mixture which has risen due to the influx of population from different places.

Dwarka has space and this further gives <g data-gr-id="106">opportunity</g> to those who want to venture into the education sector. After all a residential sub-city like Dwarka would require schools. It is a general saying among families that the school in which the child studies should be nearby, such that the little child does not have to travel like an adult, and the fact that every child deserves to study in a good school which may further enhance his/her future prospects. Exposure is another matter which is the concern of many new generation parents.

There are more than 50 schools in Dwarka, along with university campuses and government offices. The area, thought to be a distant land with <g data-gr-id="95">lack</g> of connectivity and opportunity other than flats, now has 10 metro stations, two bus terminals and auto and taxi stands in the vicinity. 

Going to the office is not a challenge anymore as the flyovers and underpasses support the commuters. Hence, connectivity is not a problem when it comes to Dwarka.

The schools that were built during the late 90’s and 2000’s have grabbed the popularity spot among residents of Dwarka as well as neighbouring areas. Calling Dwarka an educational hub will not be a wrong statement as the schools here cater to the needs of students from nearby areas as well as children of people residing in high rise buildings.

The booming education sector is supported by the real estate business as the people are coming to Dwarka to settle down. Dwarka is not crowded yet and many flats and societies lay empty due to pending court <g data-gr-id="83">cases</g> but now it is affirmed that more than the housing sector, <g data-gr-id="81">education</g> sector is flourishing.

One can say that the people living in nearby areas are also contributing to the growth of the place. It is not just the sweepers and domestic helps who come from the outskirts of Dwarka to support the residents. The students, teachers, residents, shopkeepers and rickshaw pullers benefit and flourish due to the number of schools in this area. Mahmood, a rickshaw puller says that the schools have helped them earn during the afternoon time when there are almost no customers. “The school timings ensure that we get customers, as some parents with little children want to be picked up and dropped off to the metro station or their apartment in the next sector. We know all the schools in this area and hence there is no problem.” 

People from nearby areas (villages), people settling from outside, people from all walks of life are going to schools in Dwarka. There are lot of variety of schools in different sectors of the sub-city and few schools have even managed to build branches. Every school has imbibed a character and reputation, if one looks for sports there are some schools who offer good training and have a history of outstanding performance. If one looks for academics there are maximum co-ed schools. Need an all girls school or all boys school? No problem, there are options (Queen’s Valley School in Sector 8 and Rajkiya Kanya Vidyalaya in Sector 11). If one looks for affordability when it comes to fees, that need is also catered. If one looks for Boarding, even they’re not disappointed because GD Goenka, Shanti Gyan International School and Delhi Public School Dwarka offer boarding.

There are students who are accommodated when they join <g data-gr-id="87">school</g> when half of the session is over. There are students who change schools when their schools do not offer a selection of subjects for senior secondary. Want your special child to be in a nice environment, there are schools for the students with special needs, like <g data-gr-id="98">Brahmashakti</g> School.

Shubhangi Chakravarti, a 9th standard kid said, “I and my parents saw drastic improvements in my elder sister who joined Venkateshwar International School two years back, that encouraged my family to change my school as well.” The different kinds of schools cater to different types of needs to a variety of people who’ve come to inhabit Dwarka. Built essentially as a residential area, no one thought it would contain such number of schools.  

One can also say that the schools are also encouraging people to buy or rent a house in Dwarka, though it may not be the case for all as budget comes first for potential buyers. But not all buyers can afford living in this area where the price of a decent two bedroom flat is sky rocketing. Hence hope lies in those people who live nearby. “Most students come from outskirts or places as far as central Delhi, South Delhi, Gurgaon and other areas. I come from Uttam Nagar,” said Shubhangi.

The question arises as to why the parents allow their children to go to schools that are far away. The reason is the above said variety that the area has to offer and word of mouth which clarifies the minor doubts which the parent may have regarding safety. 

“The school in which my child studies is selected on the basis of the quality teaching, infrastructure and facilities. Nowadays security is a major concern, hence we select school accordingly,” said Nikita Pandit, the mother of a class II student, studying in Modern International School. “There is competition when you go for the admission of your child so basically what I did was that I selected a few schools where i could send my seven year old girl and applied and lottery system helped me select,” she added.

The number of schools also require highly qualified teachers and Dwarka itself doesn’t house that many. <g data-gr-id="92">Hence</g> the applicants definitely have to be from outside Dwarka. Neelu Batra, who teaches primary wing in a school said, “I stay in Janakpuri and I come here to teach as this area offers a variety of opportunities and the environment is competitive as there are many schools, hence, the work experience acquired here would benefit me in the future.”

So it is not just the students who benefit but also the teachers. They are in demand. They come from adjacent areas. <g data-gr-id="97">Hence</g> the diversity is immense. The newly settled residents along with the residents living in the adjacent areas cater to the diversity. The possibility of Dwarka meeting its housing potential actually secures the future of these schools. But before that, the schools with their facilities manage to attract the students from nearby areas.