In China, various problems have emerged in the promotion of “Quality-oriented education” because of the conventional view of education as “Examination-oriented education.” In this background, many people are seeking an ideal school, true education, and ways to overcome this crisis. It is important for educators to have strong, novel ideas and theories of educational methods in order to overcome problematic situations and realize rich and true education. During the process of recognizing the necessity and importance of ideas and theories in education and investigating the history of education, I am strongly attracted to the education method and theory suggested by Rudolf Steiner (1865-1925), as well as some educators.
This school, that practices the curriculum suggested by Steiner's deep and broad ideas, is known as Free Waldorf School or Rudolf Steiner School (in China, it is called “Waldorf” (HuaDeFu)) by many people. China's first Waldorf School, Chengdu Waldorf School, was founded in September 2004. Since then, practitioners at the School have sought to get it approved by the government, and in 2006 they received a formal approval for kindergarten. (In 2012, approval was received for primary education).
This paper examines the direction of development of Waldorf education in China through a survey of four graduates and principals of the Chengdu Waldorf School.