How it all started

We are three families, each with two children aged 4-9. We moved to Cyprus in 2022 and 2023 to break new ground here. Four of the six children went to the ‘Bambini’ Montessori kindergarten near Girne (Kyrenia). One of the children had already attended 1st and 2nd grade at a Montessori school in Germany. As parents, we believe that Montessori education offers an approach that does justice to the children and makes learning fun.

Unfortunately, when the children were due to start school, we were unable to find a school that could continue the great approach of the kindergarten. Although there are state and public schools in Northern Cyprus, there are no Montessori schools. The state schools teach according to the Turkish-Cypriot curriculum and the private schools according to the British curriculum. The teaching methods are exclusively conventional. As conventional teaching is not suitable for our children, solutions had to be found.

Two of the children are enrolled in a public school, two are home-schooled and the remaining two take part in an online school programme. The great thing about a school is that pupils can come together with their peers, learn from and with each other and make new contacts. Neither online lessons nor lessons at home can offer this in this way. When talking to each other, it quickly became clear that we all wanted a Montessori primary school in Northern Cyprus. 

First steps

After discussions with teachers, local authorities and other families, we realised that our wish was opening doors, as there is a great need for more schools and school concepts in Northern Cyprus. The response was so positive that we were able to gain co-operation partners for our idea.

Dincel, the director and owner of the kindergarten, has joined the project as a full partner. She has ten years' experience as an independent operator of the Bambini Montessori kindergarten and is a qualified teacher with an internationally recognised qualification as a Montessori teacher. With the establishment of the school, we can offer families whose children were previously in the ‘Bambini’ kindergarten a familiar educational concept, so that a smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school can take place. The school is run as a supplement and continuation of the kindergarten. The network and resources are shared. 

How it works

The primary school offers educational support for years 1-6 and is privately run (without state support). The curriculum follows both state guidelines and Montessori pedagogy and incorporates elements of independent learning. The qualification corresponds to European standards. Lessons are taught in English. Turkish is taught in accordance with current standards and German is offered as a foreign language. Additional topics such as gardening and cultivation, healthy eating, digital education and active school are also focussed on.

The classes are divided into age groups grades 1-3 and 4-6. Some learning blocks are carried out in age-specific groups or individually. The rooms are designed and equipped according to Montessori principles. The pedagogical team consists of trained Montessori teachers from Germany and abroad. 

German for native speakers as well as for beginners is a central subject in the school. Not only families of German origin welcome the idea of a school with a focus on German, but also local and other nationalities have a strong interest in the German language with a focus on later studies in German-speaking countries.

The Goethe-Institut in Nicosia offers cooperation and support with the purchase of teaching materials, exchanges between teachers and the organisation of cultural projects. The Montessori primary school ‘Morning-Side’ in the southern part of the island, which offers the same values and approaches as ours, welcomes the exchange of ideas and looks forward to Pancyprian cooperation. 

Furthermore, we are in constant contact with the Ministry of Education and the responsible head of department, who supports our ideas as well as permits for buildings and certified teachers. The Genossenschaft für menschlich Werte schaffen from Germany supports us with its network and helps us to organise teaching materials and teachers.

Children need space to learn and develop their inner potential. We aim to create this space for them.