In the extract, the narrator describes the day on which the half-yearly report of the Students’ Council takes place. It is entirely the students’ affair; the students are given full freedom. Denham and Miss Joseph conduct the whole programme and preside over it. The students and teachers all listen attentively to the reports made by the student representatives on what they have been studying till then. At the end of the students’ presentation, three teachers are chosen at random to answer the students’ questions. They have to answer whatever questions are put to them by the students. Fernman questions them adroitly; Denham is blunt, critical and argumentative.
Two of the teachers are flustered by the questions, which they find difficult to answer. However, Miss Phillips intervenes skilfully when the other two teachers are at a loss without embarrassing them. She speaks coolly, honestly and with authority. Denham counter-questions her; she is cool and pleasant. The programme is serious, formal and frank. It is a democratic set up. There is freedom of expression, fearlessness on the part of students, honesty and analysis of issues.
