PRIVATE SCHOOLS
SIR,—As one who has taught in two Public Schools, two Grammar Schools and four Private (Preparatory) Schools, and who has also been a Manager of Elementary Schools, may I endorse the greater part at least of what " Schoolmaster " writes in your issue of August 18th? Personally, I would retain the Public Schools, the Grammar Schools, and the Elementary and Council Schools, and abolish Private Schools throughout the land. I should like to justify each one of my contentions in detail, but, as this would require far too much space, I will confine myself to the last-named, viz., the abolition of Private (Boarding) Schools. I advocate this measure on the following grounds: (a). It is surely a ma, unnatural thing, not to say a virtual confession of failure on the pan o, parents, if small children are to be separated from them for three-fourths of the year. (b) At Private Boarding Schools, there is far too much regimentation of the boys (I cannot speak for Girls' Schools) ; they m3) not even go for walks except under supervision ; every hour of the da) is mapped out for them, with the result that they have virtually no free time for their own private interests and amusements ; the consequence being that individuality is liable to be crushed, and independence is non- existent (c) The boys are fussed over by the headmaster's wife and the matrons to a wholly unwarrantable degree (with a view to impressing parents. This is sometimes referred to in prospectuses as " mothering" the boys). I have personally taught in two Preparatory Schools where the boys were bathed by the matrons up to leaving-age (I41-). I mention this as showing that boys are far more likely to grow up independent tf they stay at home and attend a da, school. (d) The masters, though they may be graduates, are rarely trained teachers—a far more important matte: (at any rate as regards young boys) than to be able to write B.A. after their names. (e) In my experience at least, there is far more corporal punish- ment, far more bullying, and far more dirty talk in Private Boarding Schools than in any other type of school.—Faithfully yours,
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