THE PROFESSIONAL CLASSES AND COUNTY EDUCATION
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—I have considerable sympathy with what Mr. Pape and " Jex " have written to you about their daughters attending " County " schools. Certainly I agree that the more girls attend them from refined homes, the better for the less fortunate girls and the tone of the schools. But I respect those parents, of whom a few still exist, who refuse to use these schools from a genuine and self-respecting preference for paying for value received. They feel that to take " something for nothing " lowers self-respect, even though in this matter they would probably as ratepayers and tax- payers contribute a small share with their neighbours, richer and poorer, towards the cost of their children's education, which they consider their own responsibility. In one criticism I think " Jex " is unjust. In these rate-aided schools there is often as great a devotion to games as in private schools. It is encouraged for the girls' health and to create esprit de corps in the schools. (Incidentally the girls take far less care of the materials provided for games where they know that new balls, nets, &c., will be produced at no cost to themselves.) Also, " Jex " could find plenty of private schools where there is no more " luxury " than in County schools,—! am, Sir, &c., GOVERNOR OF A COUNTY SCLIOOL ron Gnus.
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