The key to sustainability of Montessori indigenous projects is for the programs to be staffed by local indigenous teachers trained in the Montessori method.  To this end the Australian Montessori Teacher Education Foundation Limited (AMTEF) has provided training scholarships for indigenous teachers.  The training course is equivalent to a one-year diploma course and normally costs $12,000.  In 2002, the first Australian indigenous woman obtained this international Montessori qualification through AMTEF.  The photo shows Faith Ariel-Landy being awarded her diploma by Course Director, Shannon Helfrich.

Further students are currently undertaking Montessori with their tuition sponsored by AMTEF.  AMTEF offers two scholarships on each of its courses.

The Foundation will seek to offer additional scholarships for indigenous Australians to undertake Montessori teacher training.

Despite the free tuition there are still considerable costs involved in undertaking the training as the courses are currently only offered in Sydney.  Students require funding support for travel, accommodation, text books and in some cases the purchase of a computer and printer.

The Foundation will also do all it can to facilitate Montessori training being offered in far north Queensland and other regions as demand grows.