[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this letter dated 18 December 1960, B. K. Gokhale sends M. R. Masani an enclosed note titled “ON EDUCATION.” The proposal responds to the tendency of students and parents to concentrate on examination subjects while neglecting other dimensions of development. For students aged 10 to 21, Gokhale recommends adding three compulsory assessed subjects—character, physique, and sportsmanship—to academic examinations, with each carrying 100 marks. He suggests that teachers, physical instructors, games teachers, and medical officers could jointly evaluate these areas, with results recorded in an individual progress book and discussed annually with students and their parents or guardians.

The letter argues that the proposal would improve students’ character, physique, and sportsmanship without significant additional expenditure or new sports facilities. Gokhale points to similar practices in public schools, convents, missionary institutions, the Engineering University at Roorkee, and the National Defence Academy, and urges Indian schools and colleges to consider the idea on its merits. The attached note presents the progress book as a psychological instrument for securing students’ voluntary cooperation in improving their health and discipline. Gokhale closes by arguing for the coordinated development of students’ bodies, minds, and emotions rather than an examination system focused only on memory.

Key points

• The letter encloses a separate note titled “ON EDUCATION” for M. R. Masani.
• Students aged 10 to 21 should be assessed in three additional compulsory subjects: character, physique, and sportsmanship.
• Each proposed subject should carry 100 marks and be evaluated by relevant school and medical staff.
• A progress book should record results and support annual discussions with students and their parents or guardians.
• The proposal is presented as a low-cost way to improve health, discipline, character, physique, and sportsmanship.
• Gokhale argues that education should develop students’ bodies, minds, and emotions, not merely test memory.
• The attached note emphasizes a psychological approach intended to encourage students’ voluntary cooperation.