Despite the efforts of many individuals and organizations since the establishment of the first Children’s House in 1907, Dr. Montessori’s dream of the new education has not yet been realized. Dr. Montessori’s new education is education based on her principles which will provide the foundation for the establishment of social conditions needed for peace and harmony throughout the world. The International Montessori Society, formed in 1979, the International Year of the Child, offers hope that the new education as envisioned by Dr. Montessori may now be possible.
The need for IMS in the Montessori community is based on its intention to establish a clear commitment to the creation of the new education. The IMS viewpoint is that a specific commitment to the effective application of Montessori principles throughout the world is needed in order to realize Montessori’s dream of the new education. As the commitment to Montessori principles expands beyond the Montessori community, the foundation for the new education is substantiated and solidified. The alternative to the creation of the new education is a continuation of the domination of education by traditional values and the limitations of existing social conditions.
Traditional Education
The lives of most children today are dominated by traditional educational values; i.e., fear, punishment and manipulation. The result of traditional education is individuals who complete school with the attitude that study and work are unpleasant burdens rather than opportunities to serve others and contribute to society. Learning is associated with struggle and fear rather than joy and satisfaction. The larger consequence of traditional education is detrimental social conditions which tend to perpetuate traditional education and reinforce detrimental social conditions (ignorance, attitudes of inadequacy, violence and repression) for future generations.
Society’s Commitment
The dominant values in society today are contrary to Montessori principles. Restrictive government regulations and detrimental social conditions continue to frustrate the ability of teachers and schools to effectively apply Montessori principles with children.
The hope for a new education lies in public interest in education to achieve needed reform and change in society. The United States spends about 160 billion dollars a year on education with over 10% of the entire population participating as students, teachers or in support services. However, even with this keen public interest and substantial financial commitment, the Montessori community has been unable to marshal a significant public commitment to Montessori principles.
Creating the New Education
Creating the new education requires a commitment to Montessori principles larger than reasons and justifications. This commitment must extend beyond the attitudes and feelings of inadequacy which limit our ability to satisfactorily engage the forces opposing the establishment of Montessori principles in society. The Montessori community must dedicate itself to a process of confrontation with opposing social conditions so that disharmony and disagreement is viewed as an opportunity to validate the effectiveness of Montessori principles rather than a justification for a continuation of the present conditions.
The Role of the Montessori Community
The Montessori community is responsible for creating the new education by demonstrating to the world the effectiveness of Montessori principles. As the Montessori community demonstrates its ability to fulfill this function, Montessori principles will naturally become accepted and applied throughout the larger education community and society in general.
However, effective classroom application of Montessori principles is possible only from a complete commitment to these principles which must be supported throughout the entire Montessori community. IMS aims to provide this needed support.
Purpose of IMS
The purpose of IMS is to support the effective application of Montessori principles throughout the world. IMS aims to further this purpose by building the necessary commitment to Montessori principles through teacher training programs conducted by IMS affiliated centers. IMS publications and membership programs will also contribute to furthering the purpose of IMS by providing communication through out the Montessori community and beyond.
Need for IMS
The need for IMS is based on the opportunity available now to the Montessori community to realize the creation of the new education. As IMS realizes its purpose in supporting the effective application of Montessori principles throughout the world, the entire Montessori community will be supported in its great work to transform society through education.
Originally published in 1980 in Vol. 1, No. 1 issue of The Montessori Observer