Public Schools

I suppose I have to admit I went to a preparatory and public school in England a long time ago 1942-1952! I suspect all that hardship and discipline has not changed me very much. I am more sorry for my parents who only saw me sometimes! You will say I am cold and ruthless, but at least I am still a gentleman.

The arguments in the UK are strange. Perhaps our politicians are helpless. Over my life time we have had a number of Labour governments, but they have not abolished Public Schools. One wonders why! At one point in my life (1945) I was going to be looked after from 'cradle to grave', but no one talks like that any more. Public schools seem to give a good education, but presumably to the wrong people.

The basic argument for reasons of equality is that we must allow individuals to decide for themselves. I would argue that interference from on top eventually leads to disaster as one serious ignorant political mistake affects everyone. Perhaps that is what I mean by freedom - to be left alone within the law to do what I want.

There is also the question of using earned money well. What is noticeable is that many people send their children to State schools and are consequently quite rich (nice cars, nice holidays, nice hospitals and nice houses). Others who seem to value education (or perhaps it is indeed status!) spend their money on education, discipline and civilisation. Was it not in Communist States that everyone was going to be paid the same?

I notice recently that many of the (well-educated) boys I was at school with do not live in the UK any more. Their addresses are in Australia, Canada, the USA and indeed many other places. Those against Public school must be pleased to hear that so many have left England already. Standards in England will have risen!

So what is the problem? It surely must be that even the most socialist or communist leader finds that there is a limit to what they can do - short of revolution. There is not enough money to change the UK educational system. Public Schools have grown up slowly over the last 200 years and to abolish them will cost too much - even our Socialist and Communist leaders send their children to Public Schools (although they try to keep it secret).

Just think what might happen if Public Schools were abolished! Parents freed from this burden would be able to spend £25-50,000 per year on something else. Would the rest of society approve and would taxes subsequently rise on everyone, who did not send their children to private schools.

I suspect that as long as we value individual freedom it will be impossible to abolish Public School. Politicians, especially successful New Labour politicians, like them for their children and perhaps it is better that some of us spend our money on education rather than wine, women and song! I dread to think what I might do if I had an extra £25,000 per year to spend on myself instead of on education!