Shih embarked on his journey of education reform in the late 1980's when he founded the Forest School. The school sought to make a clean break from the traditional public education system.
The Forest School, an elementary school located in Hsichih, Taipei County, has a total of 66 students and offers an alternative primary education to what it considers the boring, rigid and disciplinarian aspects of regular public schools.
But the authorities haven't recognized the Forest School as a legal education institute due to its peculiar status. Diplomas issued by the school are not recognized.
Shih is also a human rights and environmental activist who had helped secure the release of the Hsihchih Trio -- three men who were convicted of murder and are at the center of a controversial judicial reform movement.
Shih is also dedicated to opposing the construction of a fourth nuclear power plant.
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