SOLDIERS' EDUCATION FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

SOLDIERS' EDUCATION FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Sonic old figures have been unearthed concerning the education of the Army as it was soon after the conclusion of the Crimean War. Out of a total of 162,000 men there were 34,000 who conlcl neither rend nor write, and there were 35,000 who could just read, but were unable to write —that is to say. there were 69,000 men who could not write —and that was in 18oS, less tiian (50 years ago. There were £7,000 men who cou.'tl read and write, but that was about the limit of their '•culture.'' while lesri than 6.000 men out of the total were returned as r) "superior education." Of course, viewed from the modern standpoint, these iijsures arc appalling. We have now nn army of scholars by comparison. It would he safe to say tnat 90 out of cverv 100 of our present Army could be included in the "negligible quantity" returned in ISSB an of "superior education." Tommy has many and diversified weapons to handle which require his good, strong arms, while events in this war have shown that they also require—and are getting the benefit of—Tommy's good, strong, but educated head.