5 AUGUST 1943, Page 14

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROBLEM

SIR,—At the end of the interesting article in The Spectator of July 23rd I read " A solution of the problem of the great public schools has still to be found."

What, I should like to know, is the problem? As I understand it, the public schools are maintained for the most part by endowment plus fees. They give the education wanted by certain parents who apparently are satisfied and are prepared to pay for what they get. There does not seem to be anything wrong in this, so where is the problem The exist- ence of these schools does not prevent any child from receiving the full benefit of the education provided by the State.—Yours, &c.,