My reflections after a chance visit to Swadhaa A Waldorf School in Pune.
In my spare time as a hobby, I enjoy visiting offbeat places and interacting with people from all walks of life to broaden my perspectives. To envision the world through the eyes of another is always an insightful experience.
When I visited Auroville in Pondicherry last year amongst the many inspirational insights I came across a bit about how Waldorf Schools started by Rudolf Steiner who was inspired by Sir Aurobindo, stands for holistic education that speaks to the soul and strives for human goodwill and integrity and instilling a sense of creativity and wonder through its unconventional schooling methods.
Besides that, I also had come across words of praise for her schooling and education received from the well-known actress Jennifer Anniston an alumnus of a Waldorf School herself.
“I was always fascinated by acting, but my experience at Rudolf Steiner [school] encouraged me to pursue it as a career.” “Steiner was a free-spirited school that encouraged creativity and individualism.”
As a dance educator myself I have always felt schooling at conventional schools can be rather stifling for it focuses more on procedure and protocol than allowing freedom to explore. The root of our individuality and personal expression is often stubbed in the process of conforming to the norms and practices unless it is balanced out when there is a gateway to open communication and positive support on the homefront.
Recently having shifted my residence in Pune City and in my foray into understanding what my area had on offer as a creative educator myself, I came across. SWADHA Learning Centre. My interest was piqued that it was based on the principles of a Waldorf school.
I decided to experience the place on my own. Luckily for me the day I visited the school it turned out to be their Annual Day and there were elaborate festivities planned out for the entire day by the school for one and all.
There were workshops galore… I attended a few out of curiosity and came away heartened by the immense enthusiasm and support from the parents and children alike for this schools annual activity. I took my time to interact with some of the parents.
What I was immediately drawn to was the amount of openness that was there reflected in so many ways from children who were learning life skills experientially to how parents were so beautifully integrated into the educational activities of the children.
The pictures speak for themselves I must say!
In an era of grades and marks that decides destinies of children as future adults,
the learning concepts observed here come as a breath of fresh air. Like the lack of grading systems and adding only an individual assessment by the educator annually to ensure that each child is addressed and understood for their unique potential. And the breakdown of hierarchy which makes everyone an involved collaborator working towards positive transformations. And I believe they also help and guide a child gradually, who wants to integrate into conventional schooling system if they wish or need to for whatever reasons. The question is would we want to?
Perhaps the varied schools under the Waldorf umbrella are as unique as the people collectively managing them, but the fact remains that there is a happier learning space we can co-create for our future children if we have the willingness to come together and contribute our time and resources.
” A space that’s open yet bounded with a focus can be conducive to learning as when the process of exploration begins it is helped by a structured approach. But while boundaries may be reminding of a journey having a destination, it is the openness that reflects the never-ending source of creative possibilities.”
Savvy
An excerpt from my reflections on Learning spaces…. (read more )
Yes Megala, the engagement and involvement in the interaction seemed almost effortless. Quite a stark contrast to some of those strict and overtly disciplined schools that I have personally seen in my childhood! Lol!!!
Thank you PS (would love to know your name ) … for your words of kindness and while am deeply thankful for the opportunities that came my way to make a difference through dance applications so far …. I was truly happy to spend some time understanding the ethos of this kind of learning spaces and how much it can help bring positive transformations in such mutually involved engagements.
Savvy Raj 
February 24, 2018 at 8:57 am
Nice to see those children engaging themselves in such activities, and kudos for the support extended by the school & parents!!
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February 24, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Yes Megala, the engagement and involvement in the interaction seemed almost effortless. Quite a stark contrast to some of those strict and overtly disciplined schools that I have personally seen in my childhood! Lol!!!
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February 24, 2018 at 9:54 pm
I enjoyed your discussion and the photos. You are clearly a passionate teacher.
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February 24, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Thank you for your thinking so .Glad to read your thoughful feedback.
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February 26, 2018 at 1:40 am
I enjoyed to see how people like you contribute their efforts to community, Nice work!!
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February 26, 2018 at 5:19 am
Thank you PS (would love to know your name ) … for your words of kindness and while am deeply thankful for the opportunities that came my way to make a difference through dance applications so far …. I was truly happy to spend some time understanding the ethos of this kind of learning spaces and how much it can help bring positive transformations in such mutually involved engagements.
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