The Montessori system as education for peace

Abstract

This thesis investigates the potential of the Montessori education to contribute to building the subjective conditions for peace in the aftermath of conflict in the developing world. Information from semi-structured interviews with Montessori teachers was analyzed and six themes are identified that contribute to creating the subjective conditions of peace. The roles of school environments, experiences outside the school, teacher-student relationships, experience in nature, the Montessori curriculum, and cultivating inner peace are discussed in the context of the relevant literature of peace and conflict, peace education, and Montessori education. Finally, the thesis concludes that Montessori education has extraordinary potential to contribute to the subjective conditions of peace in post conflict situations and suggests future research on the implementation of Montessori education in the developing world.