The Montessori Method of education now firmly established in Sri Lanka is due to the single-minded dedication of one lady – Selina Joyce Goonesekera or “Aunty Joyce” as she was known to the thousands of pupils who were nurtured by her.
Aunty Joyce pursued her dream of serving little children by following the Montessori training course conducted in India in 1942 by Dr. Maria Montessori herself. She returned to Sri Lanka with Dr. Montessori in 1944 to establish the only authentic Montessori Training Centre which started at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena and was later moved to St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo 7. Since that time, she was closely linked with the Training Centre, serving as a Senior Lecturer.
In 1948 she opened her first Montessori House of Children in Galle and later opened her school in Colombo. In her eyes, a child was a precious gift who needed to be nurtured and helped to develop to its full potential. Her schools were developed with this in mind so the environment caters solely to the needs of the child.
In recognition of her services to the country in the field of education and teacher training in the Montessori Method, she was conferred the title of Deshabandu in 1989 and was also bestowed with an Award by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in 1999.