The Government and the Public Schools
In an address to the Norfolk branch of the National Union of Teachers Lord De La Warr, President of the Board of Education, discussed the possible future relations between the State and the public schools, a problem which has recently been presented from various points of view in The Spectator. One aspect of the problem concerns finance, and the possible future call upon the State for grants. Another concerns the democratisation of the schools, and their open- ing to children who began their education in the elementary schools. Lord De La Warr is well aware of the fear of governing bodies that State grants would involve State con- trol and a loss of the independence which is of the essence of the public school system. He protested that as far as he was concerned the idea of buying the right to control was repugnant to him, and added that in any future discussion there might be on this question he hoped it would be on the basis of mutual contribution and not of " control." He pointed out that the State helps the universities, but in no sense controls them. This was a tactful statement of the Minister's attitude, but perhaps it under-estimated the inevit- able part that the Government must take in a collaboration involving considerable State expenditure. But there is no reason why methods should not be found for regulating the admission of scholars without undermining independence.
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