"Pooh Bear" wrote

... should point out that a British 'public school' is actually a
private one ( traditionally of high academic achievement ) !

Some are, some aren't. The difference was mainly the ability to
bribe universities. Now all schools cheat systematically so class is
the sole selection criterion for the few remaining real HE
institutions.

Mass education in the traditional sense is no longer desirable for
capitalist "democracy".

cheers, Ian