Good Shepherd sisters mark 82 years in Montessori Method

Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre 

• Applications are now being called for the new intake of trainees for Montessori teaching 

As the world marked 120 years of opening of the first preschool for children, “Casa Dei Bambini” or ‘House of Children’ by legendary Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome, Italy marked on January 6, Sri Lanka celebrated the 82nd anniversary of initiating the same education method with our children and teachers. 

In Rome, Dr. Montessori discovered the world renowned AMI method of educating preschool children or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and started the first AMI pre-school on January 6, 1906, with 50-60 children aged between 2 to 3 years and 6 - 7 years. 
Having started the original AMI model institution in 1906, 38 years later in 1944 Dr. Montessori herself handed over AMI method of educating children to the Good Shepherd Sisters in Sri Lanka, a congregation of reverend nuns in the Roman Catholic Church. Italy’s first female physician, Dr. Montessori discovered that children possess an innate desire to explore their environment, and she believed that education should align with this natural curiosity of child-centric perspective that promotes independent learning and holistic development. Dr. Montessori’s unique discovery was so effective that her very name ‘Montessori’ became synonymous with preschool education method and activity. 

Maria Montessori

Running the Montessori Training Centre in Sri Lanka for over 80 years now, the Good Shepherd Sisters have been training thousands of girls who have ended up as highly qualified and internationally recognised preschool or Montessori teachers. Directly affiliated to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centrein Colombo-7 has trained many ‘Montessori teachers’ who are now successfully serving in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and many more.
This year also marked the milestone of the Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centreas as it received  accreditation from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development.
Handed over to the Good Shepherd Sisters by Dr. Maria Montessori herself in 1944 when she visited the Ceylon,  then a British colony, the legacy of training and teaching ‘Montessori Method’ continues with the mission “to understand that the true spirit of teaching is in the imparting of knowledge, the building of a good character and with love and dedication to be faithful custodians of the Montessori Method”.  
Situated at St. Bridget’s Convent, 85, Alexandra Place, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 07, the centre has a commendable vision, “to communicate an understanding of education as a help to life, nurtured by love, compassion, patience, care and commitment to the needs of little children the world over, practicing the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori’s method of Education”.  
In 1944, Dr. Maria Montessori who visited Sri Lanka to train teachers and introduce AMI method, decided to hand over her pedagogical legacy to Rev. Mother Immaculate Conception Hughes, Provincial Superior of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena started its first Children’s House with Sr. Ita Cleery as Directress in 1944.   
Having completed a Training Course at Koddaikanal in India, Dr. Montessori along with her son Mario came over to conduct the first-ever Training Course in Sri Lanka. This was on an invitation by the Ceylon Teachers Association. 
The course was participated in by 300 principals of schools, teachers, lecturers and their wives from universities and training colleges, young students from schools, mothers interested in helping their children and many Good Shepherd Sisters, who later opened children’s houses in their convents in different parts of the island.  
At the conclusion of the course in 1944 (July – September) those who attended lectures (having the required credits in the written and practical examinations) were awarded certificates, which were endorsed after practice in a recognised institute. This was the beginning of training Montessori teachers who studied AMI method of educating children in Sri Lanka.   

Montessori trainees learning AMI Method of education

Having offered the initiation to the method of Montessori teaching, Dr. Maria Montessori returned to the country in 1948 at the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) for the Celebration of its Independence. In 1957 under the auspices of the AMI, A. M. Joosten, was appointed the personal representative of Mario Montessori and Director of the Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre, St. Bridget’s Convent,Colombo-07.
Sr. ItaCleery was appointed as the First Directress aided by Joyce Goonesekera, which position she held till Sr. M. John Bosco Curley succeeded her in 1961. While Sr. John Bosco worked with zeal to spread the Montessori Method, A.M. Joosten visited Sri Lanka every year, presided at the Practical Examinations, Awarded Diplomas, visited the Children’s Houses affiliated to the Training Centre and conducted Lectures for those interested in Montessori Education until his death in 1980.  
AMI Training in Sinhala
Initially there was a crying need for Montessori education in Sinhala as the course was conducted only in English. In 1963 Sr. John Bosco and Sr. Stanislaus Vas visited Mario with the intention of requesting permission for a course to be conducted in Sinhala, and for Dr. Montessori’s Book ‘The Secret of Childhood’ to be translated into Sinhala.   
The first ever course in Sinhala was started with 14 students and it continues to date with the numbers increasing every year. In 1976 Sr. John Bosco was succeeded by Sr. Stanislaus Vas as Directress of the Training Centre and she continued until Sr. Benildus was appointed in 1986 as the Directress of the Training Centre. Under her leadership the Training Centre celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Montessori work in Sri Lanka in 1994. Sr. Stanislaus Vas again was appointed as the Directress in 1994.  
For more than eight decades now, this hallowed institution has been silently shaping the minds of thousands of school leaving young women, some of whom are now teaching and guiding toddlers  around the world.   
“It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it.” - Dr. Maria Montessori
Applications are called for AMI Montessori teacher training 2026
AMI Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre, the only AMI authorised Montessori training Course in Sri Lanka has been calling applications for the newest intake of Diploma Course (two years) 2026 from young females who aspire to be internationally recognised Montessori teachers. 
At the end of two years (including one year Teaching practice), the successful candidates are offered an internationally recognised diploma with an AMI Certificate authenticated by the Netherlands Headquarters.   
Entry requirements will be GCE Ordinary level with compulsory pass in Mathematics and GCE Advanced Level with minimum three passes 
Conducted in both English and Sinhala languages, the closing date for the application is April 10. 

Further information and application can be obtained by calling on +94112697896 or +94 740895589  
(From 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)