Tomorrow’s child

To quote from a previous article in “Tomorrow’s Child” by Robin Howe;

“There are great Montes-sori schools, Montes-something schools and Montes-nothing schools.”

We at R.P.I.S. (Rawai Progressive International School) would like to offer a few more  such as Monte-Green or even Monte-Buddha schools into the mix.

   

           R.P.I.S. is located on the southern end of Phuket Island in Southern Thailand. An Island which is famous for its beaches and bars. We are a founder member of TAMS (Thailand Association of Montessori Schools) and have been in existence since 1998. We have been recognized as an alternative International school since 2004. From day one we have been a Montessori based learning centre with fully equipped Kindergarten and Lower Elementary classrooms. We have also run a Montessori based Upper Elementary class, but using Traditional materials as a learning base. Many of our staffs have been with us since the beginning.

            Whilst Montessori based learning has now been in existence for over a century - as in all things it needs to move forward with changes in society, or even ahead of them. Hence the terms Montes-green and Montes- Buddhist.

            While it is great for a school to be built from non – toxic materials, we believe that to be truly green, means more than this. It means to teach child how to live a sustainable life for a very uncertain future. We have started a school agriculture project with our own aquaponics system and an organic garden to teach children to grow their own food. Similarly we are working with Saori textile company to create a weaving centre for children to learn how to make textiles. 

              It is also of great value for the school to be set in a natural environment, if possible, with plenty of natural greenery. We pride ourselves in being encapsulated in greenery. An experience that cannot be replicated artificially or in the classroom itself.

            We also believe that the modern world is creating a spiritual vacuum and that it is essential that a school should be there to help the child develop spiritually. Located in Thailand, steeped in Buddhist tradition, we believe we can utilize this to instill a sense of spiritual awareness in our students; not by pushing any particular dogma or religion, but by example from our staff.

            We fully agree with Montessori principals of absorbent mind and the prepared environment. When we put our children in a spiritual and green environment the child will learn by absorption. There is no contradiction in philosophy in these diverse ideas of Montessori philosophy, sustainability and spirituality.

           

             We feel that the main stream schooling system does not allow time for the child to slow down and develop as a human being before rushing towards the next hurdle, to societies detriment in general.

            While many parents are convinced of the benefits of the Montessori system in the lower school, confidence seems to wane, when it comes to the upper elementary level as they feel the need to be part of the main stream system which they believe will lead to further education , qualifications and careers. They develop a fear their child will not be able to compete. This appears to be a universal phenomenon. The challenge , therefore for Montessori schools is to create a strong Upper Elementary program that allows for strong academic performance without sacrificing our core values as already discussed and without restricting their creativity and individual character.

           

              Finally, running a school as a business in these competitive times is not easy. In the past we had as many as 80-100 students, many of whose parents were not convinced of our unique values. Recently, however we were forced to downsize which has allowed us to focus more on our values. We are not so motivated by profit as we are by community creation, both locally and globally, hence our desire to communicate through this Montessori-Phuket blog.