It must be very difficult to write a review of our educational system which is fairly comprehensive in content and snappy in manner, but W. H. Auden and T. C. Worsley have done it in Education To-day and To-morrow, No. 40 of the Day to Day pamphlets issued by the Hogarth Press (1s. 6d.).
Being snappy in manner, it will not escape the criticism of being flippant, though there is no real reason why, a description of our educational system should not be brightly written.
Certainly the authors are not respectful to the system and its administration. They appear to take an impish delight in pricking the bubble of complacency and in uncovering the rather sordid reality so often masked by the pomposities and unctuosities of those who talk and write of the " ideals " of education.
GOOD SUMMARY In short sentences they give the facts of each section or aspect of the system, often concluding a chapter with a few words of summing up which present the meaning of the facts In a clear, and even startling, light. This light is pure Auden and Worsley, and while its direction and intensity may be questioned at times, there can be no doubt that its brilliance does induce thought and questioning.
Very wisely, the authors have omitted all but inferential reference to religious education as their method of treatment would he apt to induce heat rather than light.
For myself. I found the hook informative and exhilarating. but I can imagine that some officials and teachers would find it exasperating.