ARMY EDUCATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 168, 18 July 1942, Page 4

ARMY EDUCATION

OPINION OF EXPERT

TO CURE INERTIA

"I read with great interest the remarks published in the Auckland Star yesterday by an n.c.o. dealing with the problem of army education " said Mr. L>. Hogwood, a member of the staff of the Kowhai Intermediate School. Mr. Hogwood is the school's vocational guidance officer and has interested himself in the subject of army education ever since the outbreak of hostilities in September, 1939. "It is one of the most pressing problems associated with New Zealand's war effort," he continued.

"Early in the; war I wrote to the Army Department setting out a scheme in technical subjects which was designed to have a direct bearing on army work; and proposals lor a general education plan embracing recreational education aimed at keeping soldiers' minds alert and f re ® from the trammels of boredom and inertia which set in when men are forced to serve in a standing army for long periods without active combat service. I think, the n.c.o. who expressed his views struck the key note of the whole situation when he mentioned the danger of mental inertia and apathy spreading among the troops. He has hit the nail square on the head and in doing bo has voiced the opinion of large numbers of soldiers similarly placed. Strong Views Held "Many men I know in the various camps feel strongly on this education question and have expressed their views strongly. A young man who has been at a camp established at least a vear told me that after working all day—starting before daylight—he returned weary to camp and was glad to creep under his blankets in a dimly-lit tent. There were no recreational facilities and he and others doing hard work day after day felt the intolerable boredom of the life. His experience is typical of the experience of hundreds of other men.

"It is essential that opportunities should be provided to keep such men in a mentar condition that will fit them to go back to civil life when the time comes. The aim should be national efficiency which will be vital after the war just as it is vital during war. Mental and Other Tests "My proposals to the Army Department included mental tests, including intelligence and manual dexterity tests. Special tests were suggested for mechanical ability and there were social intelligence tests as well. With such a scheme in operation soldiers could be selected for special tasks in the armv. Men would give service according to their ability and it would be known to those in authority bv the tests whether a man was fit to be in a position of command. No such comprehensive tests have been applied to any army, although the American Army had a simple intelligence test which was applied universally to all soldiers in the last war. "Many men who have joined the New Zealand Army have a profession or trade, but what opportunity is given them of keeping up to date especially the younger ones who have not had time to practice? An educational scheme would help There should be special subjects for such men, and it would add'to their standard of efficiency. What will be their position when they are demobilised if the war is exceptionally long? The routine armj' work will not nt them for their future in civil life even if they are discharged fit and well. Education can be given to these men without interfering with army efficiency, which all know is of paramount importance. The Older Men Then there are the older men who have no trade or profession I have- #\idence that many men would welco*|® the opportunity of fittine themse>*« during their leisure hours for T*«tter positions than thev h . ave , held in the past. These men should be catered for. Take for instance, a running repairs course for tL th ® ™ ot °r transport units. The hour is fast approaching when a large number of married men, mostly with two or three chikl ren. will be drafted into the forces These men will feel more thin others, no doubt, the gap in their lives They will be away from their families and should have something to replace the ordinarv mental ac tivities to which they have been lc customed. n ac

They would welcome some form ° f d iy ers i onal education which wouM enable them to retain the r mema fitness which thev dossp«q " degree already. SleS"?iSulus B fi required to keep them fit ,3 hilr 1 ! ?£' „^e k Ve MSSIf fe^u't 5 ?n rS ffi " a f S earliest possible moment."