Day 8: Montessori School

Tess Raley
Today we went to a very expensive private institution that even at face value is hardly worth the cost. Schools using the Montessori method and name get immediate recognition due to the modern style of the education. This generally consists of leaving many educational toys and activities in a classroom and observing the (2-6 year old) child and helping them progress to more difficult activities.

First I observed an elementary classroom where this system is supposed to thrive. Yet, only 2 (of the 5) teachers in the room were even paying attention to the children. The others were charging thousands of rupees a year to sit and read a book while drinking coffee and yell at any child who asks for help because they interrupted them. This truly disgusted me. In a system where observation is everything, this is unacceptable! Later, Vidya asked the woman who was charge of the elementary section how they evaluate student progress and what skills need to be demonstrated before they turn 12 and move into a more traditional setting. The answer? "We'll get back to you on that."

The older grades were so disrespectful to their teachers! It seems as if they see themselves as the authority. Yet, there seemed to be very little drive in these students, most were unsure as to their choice career (which is rarer in India than wanting to be a pottery maker!). And many of them complained about school and referred to subjects as being "like throwing up." They do not appreciate their education like children at the other schools did.

Further, they lacked a sense of community in the classroom-both with other students and their rich culture that I have come to love. Many foreign students are at this school as well, in fact one lady asked us which kids were our children. And over 30 BMW's rolled in to pick their kids up at the end of the day. This school gives children too many freedoms as infants and can never seem to get authority back. The parents must be drawn by name, location, and expected value for ticket price. Yet, lack of true Montessori methods obviously depletes that monetary value in equality to the child's education, growth, and attitude.