Montessori School Zimbabwe: Building a Haven For Our Future Leaders
The history of Montessori Zimbabwe dates back to 1995, when the Greystone Montessori pre-school was registered with the then Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. Starting from humble beginnings, the pre-school had a debut enrolment of 23 pupils, which gradually rose to 90. This rise in the number of entrants, and the growth in the numbers of the initial pupils, warranted the establishment of a primary school.
Responding to this and other factors, such as pleas from parents, the administrative board finally decided to establish a primary school, five years ago, to carry the pupils through to the next level of education.
“The success of the pre-school and repeated requests from parents therefore compelled us to go further by starting our Own Montessori primary school for our pre-school children to continue onto,” said Pugh, the Matron.
The school subscribes to the original national primary school curriculum but also augments it with the Montessori method as the name suggests.
According to Nicky, the Montessori method of teaching and learning is different in that it is more individualised and teaches the pupils self-discipline as they are made to take responsibility for their schoolwork. The lessons are not fixed as in the traditional school timetable but a pupil will attend a lesson as and when they feel they are prepared for it.
Above: Staff and children at the new site
However, there is a system of checks and balances, which ensures that the pupils properly manage their work and do not back track on certain subjects.
The method is also materially based so as to enable the children to easily relate to the subjects they are taught.
However, just like any other institution in Zimbabwe, the school has not been spared by the economic meltdown and the administration is currently working tirelessly to amass financial resources to build a proper school and therefore expose the pupils to a more conducive learning environment.
“We recognise that each child is unique and special and our goal is to provide an environment that enriches all whom it touches. We work together to create a place where everyone can grow and feel nurtured and accepted. We need to start building a new school as soon as possible. As it is, we have 40 pupils who are coming in for grade 1 next year and we do not have adequate space for them in this tiny compound.” she said.
Up to date, the school has managed to buy a barren piece of land in Suburbs, which they plan to turn into an academic oasis should they secure enough resources. The school is currently situated at a house in the same neighbourhood. The house is slowly becoming too small to accommodate the growing number of pupils and struggles to meet Government regulations.
Architects have estimated that an initial US$750 000 is needed to build the new school in Townsend Road, Suburbs.
The school, which is driven by the values of trust, respect, honesty, integrity, teamwork, appreciation and peace, is therefore appealing for financial assistance to capacitate it to build the educational facility. The complex will be furnished with 7 classrooms, several sporting facilities and laboratories.
Above: Children do their work during a lesson
“I believe that this school is not only a big thing for Bulawayo as a city but for our children as they are the future leaders of this country. I believe that this is more about educating our future leaders, businesspeople and so forth than anything else, but we have run out of space hence we need to build an environment that will be best suited for them to excel. We are therefore appealing to the world at large to assist with whatever they can so that our dream to build the most suitable teaching and learning environment can become a reality,” she said.
Apart from equipping children with life-skills through education, the school also boasts a vibrant Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Montessori Zimbabwe periodically donates to organisations for the disabled and disadvantaged, such as King George VI School and SPCA.
“We have helped out deserving and less privileged members of the police force by offering them tuition for their pre-school children at no charge. We have had a rescued street child as our non-paying guest for 2 terms whilst arrangements were being made for proper adoption. Montessori Zimbabwe shall continue to assist by donating to worthy organisations and helping needy children where possible,” said Nicky.