© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard

Montessori Pre-Schools

Education is highly valued in Sri Lanka and is the pathway to advancement. However amongst the poor there was often a high drop out rate in especially from the later primary and secondary years and lower attainment in Ordinary levels and Advanced levels. Thus children from these poorer households are disadvantaged in acquiring stable employment and/or entrance to further and higher education and training.

To address this several local JBSs have started up their own Montessori Pre-schools for members’ children. The WDF has provided district level training for the pre-school teachers - two members from a local JBS attend a short initial course in Montessori methods, then attend the on-going courses in e.g. craft projects. Between 8 a.m. and 12 noon the children learn the basics of reading and writing, Sinhala, numeracy, classroom discipline and gain confidence in mixing with other children. They also learn Sri Lankan traditional songs and dances. The aim of these pre-schools is to give them a head start when they attend primary school and reduce the former very high drop-out rate of the poor from education.

A Montessori group with their teacher. This school was firstly held in a member’s house or a room at the local Temple

Learning the Sinhala alphabet

Starting the day with traditional pujah offerings and prayers.

By the  2000s many members’ children had not only completed secondary school but had achieved “O” and “A” level passes. Others had then continued into Further and Higher Education attaining professional and graduate qualifications. Others had successfully completed technical courses and qualifications.

These educational successes had thus allowed them to support their families and communities.

Break time at Godawaya pre-school. Before eating the children all filed outside with their teachers who helped them to wash their hands before eating. The morning was spent singing traditional Sri Lankan songs, learning Sinhala letters which they copied into their notebooks, counting and in simple craft projects. Attendance gave them a head start when they started a Primary school reducing drop outs.