# As Schoolmaster explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi describes his role as a teacher and father figure at Tolstoy Farm, where he provided education to children of diverse backgrounds. He emphasizes character building over literary training, integrates manual labor and vocational training (shoemaking, carpentry, gardening) into daily life, and insists that teachers work alongside students to foster cooperation and cheerfulness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Self-Improvement

Gandhi experiments with a holistic education system at Tolstoy Farm, prioritizing character building, manual labor, and vocational training over traditional literary instruction.

### Self-Discipline and Simplicity

The farm's routine of shared work, no servants, and strict but reasoned discipline reflects Gandhi's commitment to simplicity and self-reliance.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Assumes the role of paterfamilias and teacher at Tolstoy Farm, focusing on character building and manual training.

### Hermann Kallenbach

Assists with classes, learns shoemaking at a Trappist monastery, and teaches carpentry and gardening.

### Maganlal Gandhi

Referred to as Sjt. Pragji Desai in the text; helps with classes and manual work.

## Key lines

> I did not believe in the existing system of education, and I had a mind to find out by experience and experiment the true system.

Gandhi was skeptical of conventional schooling and sought to discover a better approach through hands-on experimentation.

_Reflects his innovative and experiential approach to education._

> I regarded character building as the proper foundation for their education and, if the foundation was firmly laid, I was sure that the children could learn all the other things themselves or with the assistance of friends.

He believed that moral development was the essential basis for all learning, and that once established, children could acquire other knowledge independently or with minimal help.

_Highlights his prioritization of ethical training over academic instruction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxii-as-schoolmaster
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters