Three decades ago, the French state established an “Interministerial Mission to Monitor and Combat Sectarian Aberrations.” Its latest activity report, for the period from 2022 to 2024, was published in April 2025. Once again, it denounces Waldorf schools and fuels public mistrust. Here is a summary.
On its website, the Mission interministérielle de vigilance et de lutte contre les dérives sectaires (MIVILUDES) writes: “Out of respect for all faiths and the principle of secularism, the legislator has always refused to define the terms ‘sect’ and ‘religion’ so as not to violate freedom of conscience, opinion and religion.” It explains that “French laws do not aim to prevent and combat sects per se, but sectarian aberrations” and gives a definition for “sectarian aberrations”: “It is characterized by the implementation by an organized group or an individual, regardless of their nature or activity, of pressure or techniques aimed at creating, maintaining or exploiting a state of psychological or physical dependence in a person, depriving them of part of their free will and having harmful consequences for that person, their environment or society.”
Any reasonable person would agree that the exploitation of psychological or physical dependence, the restriction of free will, and any actions that harm a person, their environment or society should be opposed. Waldorf schools aim specifically to promote independence, creativity, free will, and contribution to a healthy social life. In principle, they would applaud the aims of MIVILUDES. So why are they repeatedly denounced in these reports?
MIVILUDES relies on anonymous statements. The latest report begins with a description of how leaves were lit to make a fire in the classroom during a chemistry lesson, and the children had to stand in the smoke for 5 to 10 minutes. Other parents stated that they “were not sufficiently informed about the principles and objectives of the pedagogy offered.” Lack of supervision was also reported, in particular in the statement of a young woman who complained that the teaching staff did not react when one of her classmates sexually harassed her for several months.
The report also refers to an investigation done by a private organization, the Comité national d’action laïque [National Committee for Secular Activity] (CNAL), based on reports from the Ministry of Education. The CNAL states that it was only able to obtain four reports. In them, it notes practices that do not meet the requirements of the national education standard, conditioning rituals, rejection of technology, confusion between historical facts and myths, and between beliefs, interpretation, and science. It also states that Waldorf schools do not offer any sport activities apart from eurythmy, that “there is no room for the children’s personal development,” that “natural sciences are not taught,” and even that “no activities to promote the pupils’ artistic creativity could be observed”. Observations that absolutely contradict everything that is known about Waldorf education! MIVILUDES also relies on government secret services to formulate vague criticisms with opaque sources, claiming safety and pedagogical shortcomings as well as a “strategy of concealing course content”. The report does not allow the schools or the association that officially represents them to have a say. The document is merely incriminating, and it disregards the principle of the right of appeal.
This criticism of Waldorf schools is not enough to label them as a sectarian aberration, so it’s more a matter of raising suspicion. The weak arguments and the lack of a procedure for rebuttal should actually make this report invalid. However, because this is a state institution, many journalists and politicians do not take a closer look and simply label Waldorf schools as “sectarian aberrations” without a second thought. Despite the weakness of the arguments, the schools suffer a lot of damage in the public eye, and therefore, the Association of Waldorf Schools in France wants to do something to ensure that the injustice is recognized.
How could this happen in the land of reason and human rights? It seems that we are reaching the limits of universalism. French history is characterized by two forms of universalism: that of the (Catholic) universal church and that of the Enlightenment. The universalism of the church led to excommunications and the persecution of witches and heretics. The universalism of the Enlightenment was equated with the state: anything that looks like autonomy and independence, especially in education, is seen as backward and “anti-Enlightenment.” Thus, an ill-conceived universalism turns against the freedom of intellectual life and shows totalitarian traits.
In light of this situation, the Fondation Paul Coroze, which supports the training of young people in France in practical approaches to anthroposophy, has been producing a film project over the last two years entitled “Prendre soin de l’humain et de la Terre” [Caring for humans and the earth]. Three films, each around 50 minutes long, have just been shown for the first time in a small cinema in Paris: one about biodynamic agriculture, one about Waldorf education, and one about therapeutic education and social therapy. The two experienced directors, Kaori Kinoshita and Alain Della Negra, went on location to show people in their everyday lives without giving theoretical explanations. Even if reason cannot dispel prejudices, it is hoped that concrete, direct impressions will help to convey a realistic picture of the projects of the anthroposophical movement. The films are very moving, aesthetic, and profoundly human. Further screenings are planned throughout France, and the films will soon be available on YouTube.
Translation Laura Liska
Image Seat of the French National Assembly, Palais Bourbon in Paris. CC BY 3.0.
