Comments & Editorials 11
Editorial (1963-64)

THE recent publication of the Robbins Report on Higher Education drew public attention to the extreme shortage of university places in this country. Although the recommendations of the report were universally welcomed, the enthusiasm arising from its suggestions has now waned, and we remain uncertain whether the provision of university places will keep pace with the demand for them. It is desirable, of course, that a university education should be available to every person who can benefit from it, so that able students do not waste their talent, as many do now, in what can only be described as "dead-end jobs". On the other hand, a process of education terminating almost automatically in three years at university has its dangers. For one thing, a university place may be regarded as an end in itself, a training for a career, instead of a preparation for life. Perhaps we can help to avoid such a mistaken attitude by broadening the approach to Advanced Level studies. Those of us who have had the benefit of a third year in the Sixth are aware of its value as an incentive to general reading and work outside the syllabus; it is to be hoped that a third year in the Sixth becomes general practice.

Such a preparation for life rather than only for examination successes need not be confined to the senior part of the school. Given more practice in using the resources of the library, for example, students could derive considerable benefit from reading outside the comparatively restricted 'O' Level syllabus.

Both Universities and Sixth Form Masters complain about the limited knowledge and interests of many students. Certainly, if we are to profit from the increased university opportunities promised by all political parties, then pupils at school must make vigorous attempts to augment their specialist subjects. We may consider that the relative narrowness of our syllabus is the fault of universities and schools, but the responsibility rests with the student to see that he extends the scope of his studies and so develops an ever widening interest in the world at large.

J. PECK, M6A

N. DYSON, U6