17 NOVEMBER 1939, Page 60

THE FATE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sul,—Mr. Gowan's article is most timely. It provides an excellent alternative to the Spens policy of increasing new class divisions and excluding poorer children from competition for governmental posts.

At present our rulers come from too 'restricted a field, and a tremendous amount of ability has little chance of employ- ment in the higher branches of Government, industry, &c.

If this country is to survive we must give every citizen the opportunity of full development, national boarding schools, equipped to prepare for all professions and trades, and for a full life also, and taking children of all " classes," who mould pay according to income, and receive maintenance where necessary, would mean a long step towards a democratic system. With the best schools of other types they would give a much larger supply of future leaders than we now have.

Rendcomb College, on a small scale, points the way. If the conditions foreseen by Mr. Gowan do exist after the war, the cost would not be very great if the schools were taken