Nagpur :- Waldorf Inspired School (NWIS) held a Conference on Waldorf Education on December 03, 2023. Dr. Sapna Sharma, TedX speaker, International Counselor, Life Coach, relationship expert, and director of Mind Junction, spoke about the ills of modern society. She emphasised the need of conscious Parenting and education. as a process of learning and being mindful about the mental well being and growth of the Individuals in the prevalent competitive and challenging environment they are growing up in. Kathy MacFarlane, teacher for 35 years at Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School, New Zealand spoke virtually and reiterated with conviction the successful Waldorf method gaining acceptance in many countries. Kathy answered questions of parents anxious about the career options. Kathy gave the examples of her three children and grandchildren who have been trained through Waldorf, one of them a Doctor and all three doing very well in life. Dr Sanjay Jain, Head of Priyadarshini Knowledge Center said “We speak about bringing changes in education but nobody is actually making the changes needed. Only a few of them in Nagpur have actually made the changes that all of us are talking about like the Priydarshini Knowledge Center and the Waldorf School at NWIS.” Anandhi, one of the founding members of Waldorf in India, was the Chief Guest. A very interactive session it was when Anandi engaged the Parents and every attending Individual into a method of learning the table of five with use of voice, hands, movement, and social interaction. Anandhi who has been teaching in Waldorf schools since 1998 and mentoring schools now, spoke about the Waldorf students joining good colleges and placed well with some excelling in academic and professional life after Waldorf. She shared her experience with different Waldorf students. She spoke about the age appropriate education from Childhood up to 7 years (letting the physical development take place) then 7-14 years and later integrating into the mainstream schools. This way the young adult becomes future ready. Sanket Saraf, Founder Director NWIS, said “There is a myth that Waldorf Schools are not academic No We are academically rigorous. The difference is that the rigour comes out of understanding that in turn is revealed in repetition that many times involves the body too in the learning process.” Parents who had been with the Waldorf system at NWIS spoke about the positive results and that they felt that this was the right education for their children.
Nisha Saraf, Director CDS School said “there is no need for parents to pressurise children for studies. The Waldorf method is the right way to educate wherein we create the ambience and atmosphere for the child to leam.” Rina Sinha, Business Partner NIIT, acknowledged the offering of the Waldorf method as a good development in Nagpur City. Dr Shanoor Mirza, Principal NWIS, anchored the event and also moderated the lively panel discussion and QnA session.
