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The Montessori system of education is both a methodology as well as an educational philosophy. It is a scientific approach to education based on the needs of the child at different stages of his life. As Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of this system, states, “I have taken what the child has given me and expressed it and that is what is called the Montessori method.” Since it was first applied by Dr. Montessori in Rome in 1907, the Montessori movement has exp
anded remarkably across the globe. Today, there are over 22,000 Montessori schools in 110 countries.
Dr. Montessori visited India in 1939 at the invitation of The Theosophical Society of India. She made Chennai her home and stayed in India for the next 10 years. During this period, she conducted 16 Montessori training courses accompanied by her son, Mario. These courses laid a strong foundation for the Montessori Movement in India. Ever since, Montessori schools have had a presence in different parts of India. Of late, the Montessori system is increasingly gaining popularity. In fact, government-run schools in Tamil Nadu have adopted the Montessori system as part of the early years’ curriculum. (A list of Montessori schools all over India can be found on www.montessori-india.org.) However, to teach children from Montessori schools requires specialised training. Currently, there are three institutes in India that offer the Montessori course — The Navadisha Montessori Institute at Velachery in Chennai; The R.T.I. Montessori Training Course at N.S. Patkar Marg in Mumbai and The Montessori Research and Training Centre at Basheerbagh in Hyderabad. They are affiliated to The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) founded in 1929 by Dr. Montessori. They offer the primary diploma programme for the 3-6 years age group. Only Navadisha offers the 6-12 years Elementary Training course, the first of its kind in India. As there are not many trainers at this level, the elementary course at Navadisha presents a unique opportunity. The Hyderabad centre is also planning a one time 0-3 Infancy programme soon.
The candidate should be a graduate, over 21 years of age. More important, he/she should be mature enough to handle the training and passionate enough to go through the rigorous demands of the programme. The fee for the 3-6 years course at Navadisha is Rs. 34,500. The entire course lasts for nine months, beginning every year in August and ending in April. The fee for the 6-12 years course at Navadisha is Rs. 75,500. The course will run in two modules — August 2009 to March 2010 and August 2010 to December 2010. Both are full-time courses that require dedicated work everyday — not just at the institute, but also at home. Ideally, if a specific time is allocated for the course work, it would help as there will be essays and write-ups about the presentation of the materials to be submitted. At the end of the course, successful candidates are certified by the Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI), Amsterdam. There are also many online and correspondence courses available. However, the Montessori system, by its very nature, does not lend itself well to online or postal programmes since practical work is integral to understand the philosophy. The course provides one with theoretical as well as practical knowledge required to handle children and run a Montessori school. Hence, it is preferable to go for the regular full-time or part-time programmes.
Most Montessori schools prefer to appoint Montessori-trained teachers. Therefore, training is an advantage to get a job in a full-fledged Montessori environment. Besides, it also equips a person to start a school of one’s own. One can also qualify further and become a trainer. Due to a shortage of trainers in India, most trainers are invited from abroad to conduct the courses. The more enterprising personalities can start manufacturing and supplying equipment to schools. Offering suggestions and advice in setting up Montessori schools is another career option. For most people who undertake the course, it is a journey of self-discovery. The fact that every day one is shaping the lives of innocent minds who come with total trust, makes this a satisfying and interesting profession. In a Montessori set-up, no two days are the same and no two children are the same. The salary may vary from one school to another. At times, it may be on a par with other schools. At other times, it might not be great. But there is immense satisfaction and an inexplicable happiness that this system offers to the dedicated and passionate Montessori teacher. One will never look at the child in the same way as one did before the course.
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Even as the Montessori system of education is gaining in popularity, there is need for more teachers who are well-trained in the methodology.
FOR EVERY NEED: No two children are the same, and the Montessori system caters to different learning requirements.