MSCA’s Stance on the Australian MNC
The Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA) Board would like to reaffirm its stance on the Montessori National Curriculum (MNC).
Since 2019, MSCA has maintained transparent clarification with Montessori Australia Group Pty Ltd (MAG) and the broader community regarding the Montessori National Curriculum (MNC) copyright ownership and the need for the standard updating process required of every curriculum.
MSCA has repeatedly offered to work collaboratively with MAG.
Core concerns led to our dialogue with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) in 2020 and again in 2023, emphasising the need for a standard update process to ensure that excellence in the Montessori curriculum is maintained. Recently, ACARA has met with both MAG and MSCA on two occasions, and all parties are keen for the required submission to be made as soon as possible.
MSCA acknowledges MAG’s efforts to update the MNC while noting the unresolved issue of copyright ownership. We underline the necessity of involving the original MNC contributors, Australian Montessori Teacher Trainers, and the Association Montessori Internationale’s (AMI) Scientific Pedagogical Group to preserve the curriculum’s pedagogical integrity in line with international and national standards.
MSCA members represent a significant majority of the primary stakeholder group, and our objective stands firm: to collaborate openly with MAG and to work constructively and professionally to deliver a curriculum that meets the community’s expectations of excellence and fidelity in Montessori education.