granh1
I found Miss Carter's War struck a chord with my own life. My mother left school at 14 to work in a factory. She could have gone on to secondary school, but her parents thought it was a waste of time as she would marry. She was pleased I passed the 11+ and could have more opportunities than she had. Lack of confidence and help, and a school that educated girls to be secretaries, teachers or wives meant I did better than my mother, but could have done much more. My own daughter had the advantages of parental help, a wider education curriculum and a Miss Carter figure who encouraged her to aim high. She went to Oxford and got a degree and doctorate in biochemistry. As implied in Shelia’s book, it takes more than one generation to get results. I sometimes worry about the next generation, will they appreciate the spring board they have been given?
I also had experience of the divisive consequences of the education system. I was parted from my primary school friends as I was the only one to pass the 11+ from my village school. My three brothers all went to different schools, two undertaking long journeys to the nearest city, to access technical school -- so the unity of the family was broken too, we had nothing in common and rarely saw each other in the week. ‘
Do the characters in the book believe that education is a life time’s task, not just for school years? I certainly think so!
I'm fascinated by your question, you story and your parents is so typical of what it was like. My mother left school at 14 with hardly any education and worked in a shop or pubs. In one store she worked in she was on the glove counter and suggested to the boss, that she start a little library and then a cafe, and she did! With a better education she could have been a top executive, in fact she could have done anything. In my book The Two of Us, I traced the life of John's mother who had deserted him when he was a child. I discovered that she was an exceptional, lively woman who had been dogged by impossible situations and lack of education.
Even when I left school in the 40's, having been to a grammar school the opportunities for girls of my background were limited to nursing (not being a doctor), secretary or somewhat exceptionally teaching. Marguerite certainly believe in continuing education as she works with the open university. To my mind, the OU is one of the most remarkable inventions as is the University of the Third Age. I don't think one should ever give up learning. I am about to start piano lessons again.