Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1942. EDUCATION IN THE ARMY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 August 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1942. EDUCATION IN THE ARMY.

WHEN the question was raised in the House of Representa- ' ’ fives early last month, the Minister of Education (Air Mason) said that good progress had been made with a scheme of education in. the Army and that very shortly an announcement would be possible. He added that because nothing had been done so far it must not be assumed that, the matter had been overlooked. It is well over a month since- this reply was given, but the announcement promised by the Minister has not yet been made.

No doubt there has been some development of the scheme to which Air Mason referred. This was indicated, for example, when the Director of the Wellington Technical College (Air 11-. G. Ridling) reported a. few weeks ago that the military authorities had signified their approval of educational facilities being made an integral part of military training.

A scheme of education for those engaged upon military work is being' prepared (Mr Ridling stated). Instruction by coriespondence will help in this work, and within the limits of courses already prepared we are able to send assignments of work to any educational unit established in a camp. They might be used by individual students or form the basis for class instruction.

It must-be hoped that other details of the scheme mentioned by the Minister of Education are at a similarly advanced stage, but it is very desirable that a reasonably detailed statement on the subject should be made as soon as possible, if only as a step towards concentrating public attention effectively on the vitally important questions involved.

The position at present is that under the inexorable demands of war—demands, of course, not to be evaded —large numbers of youths of from 18 to 21 years of age have been drafted into Territorial camps, with the possibility open that their service may extend over a period of years. For at least a considerable proportion of these young soldiers, mobilisation has meant an interruption of academic or other studies, professional or trade training. It is of the highest importance, equally to these soldiers individually and to the Dominion that everything humanly possible should be done to overcome, or at least to limit the effects of this break in study or training. The danger raised —one to which parents in particular 'will be keenly alive —is that of allowing some of the most promising of our youth to sink, for lack of education and training in formative years, to the condition of odd job men or unskilled labourers.

Much may be clone to obviate this clanger by organising educational courses in camps, and possibly by releasing young soldiers from cam]) for periods of study, professional or trade training. Whether adequate action in these directions is being taken should appear when the Minister of Education has made his promised statement.