H.—lB

83. A further pleasing feature of the scheme is the fact-that ex-servicemen resuming interrupted apprenticeships—in many cases after long service with the Forces—have been quick to settle down in their old trade.

84. Table IX of the Appendix gives the figures of ex-servicemen dealt with under the " C " Class procedure up to 31st March, 1945. A comparison of the main figures in this table with the equivalent totals for the year ended 31st March, 1944, is as follows :—

SECTION IX.—EDUCATION (i) Applications for Educational Assistance 85. Since the last annual report 989 applications for educational assistance have been granted, including 18 special overseas bursaries. 86. The overseas bursaries granted to 31st March, 1945, include four awarded to prisoners of war, and the courses which have been made available to them on release are as follows : Degree of Ph.D. ; course of physical training up to a maximum of three years ; Degree of B.Ag.Sc. ; and Degree of B.Pharm. . 87. Table XI of Appendix shows details of facilities granted to date, and Table XII shows the distribution of students in the respective courses. (ii) Prisoners of War 88. Study facilities arranged through the High Commissioner's Office and the Red Cross were maintained throughout the year, the supply of text-books being the only practicable form of assistance which could be given under the circumstances. 89. Applications for educational facilities from prisoners of war, are now being dealt with by the Advisory Sub-Committee in the United Kingdom, referred to in the next paragraph. (iii) Advisory Sub-Committees of the Rehabilitation Board's Education Committee 90. Advisory Sub-Committees of the Board's Education Committee have been appointed in the United Kingdom and the Middle East to investigate and report on the applications of serving personnel whose names are on the Now Zealand Roll, and of prisoners of war desirous of taking up educational courses. 91. These Sub-Committees forward their recommendations to the Board by cable, and the Board cables its decision to the appropriate Sub-Committee, thus ensuring that applications are dealt with expeditiously. 92. In addition, the Sub-Committee in the United Kingdom handles applications for short educational, trade, and other courses received from personnel awaiting repatriation. To avoid overcrowding the British Universities it has been agreed that candidates for short educational courses at these institutions must have graduated or at least had some University background. (iv) Refresher Courses 93. Since the last annual report further refresher courses have been arranged in accountancy and dentistry and a law digest and a refresher course on taxation in New Zealand have been prepared. (v) Vocational Guidance 94. The services of the Vocational Guidance Officers in the four main centres, and of the Honorary Education Advisers in the smaller centres, have proved increasingly valuable by assisting Rehabilitation Officers on educational matters. (vi) Liaison with Education Services in the Forces 95. As mentioned in the last annual report, educational facilities are provided by A.E.W.S. (Army Education and Welfare Service) for Army personnel both overseas and at home, and similar facilities are provided for Navy and Air personnel by the R.N.Z.A.F. Educational Service. 96. Representatives of A.E.W.S. are included in the personnel of the Sub-Committee in the Middle East referred to above, and representatives of A.E.W.S. and Navy and Air Educational Services are represented on the corresponding Sub-Committee in the United Kingdom. 97. These two educational services provide suitable courses for men serving with the Forces, and are in a position to give to the Board's Education Committee detailed information regarding the courses pursued, while in the Forces, by men who will subsequently apply to the Board for various forms of educational assistance, thus ensuring that any assistance granted by the latter will be consistent

2—H. 18

9

As at 31st March, Increase for Year. 1945. 1944. Ex-servicemen in training .. 318 38 280 Ex-servicemen completed training 54 6 48 Totals .. .. 372 44 328