SIR,—It was with mild annoyance that I read Mrs. Grylls's
letter on 'Education for Girls.' One might, in charity, pass over her unin- formed sneers at the activity methods of modern infant schools; they were in any case of doubtful relevance; but one can scarcely but cavil at other parts of her letter. Mrs. Grylls is, unfortunately, one of a surprising number who complain volubly in various sec- tions of the press about educational dis- advantages under which they have voluntarily
elected to labour. Mrs. Grylls is obviously a determined supporter of the 'public' schools system (Mrs. Grylls's inverted commas, on which, by the way, I commend her), and on those grounds alone she and only she is re- sponsible for any 'disadvantages' her daughter may suffer. The State provides a standard of education academically in no way inferior to the public schools; and as for accomplish- ments, Mrs. Grylls has condemned them far more effectively than I could. Moreover in State schools the standards of teaching for boys and girls are identical.
I really fail to see any good reason why Mrs. Grylls need look farther than the nearest primary school for her daughter; it will almost certainly be the most advantageous first step on the ladder which leads to the universities. —Yours faithfully,
D. BRYN WILLIAMS
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