EDUCATING THE SOLDIER.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16585, 26 July 1919, Page 9

EDUCATING THE SOLDIER.

THE- N.Z.E.P. SCHEME. (PROM OtTR OWS CORRKSPOKDF.KT.) LONDON, JTuno 14. The report of the N.Z.E.F. for May states that as regards units in England, progress of roDatriation has resulted a material reduction of tho soopo of oui operations. Tho closing of depots has involved a reduction in the total dai > strength of units in the United Kingdom, and at the samo time relatively to that strength tho numbers employed, on embarkation loave, and other leayo, and general duties inconsistent with class work, have substantially increased. All educational work in the camp at Brocton ceased on May 10th. Throughout tho time the scheme has boen m operation there, work of a highly educational value was done, to tho advantage of a large number of men. Ihe administration has been excellent. , Tho camp at Sutton Coldfield ib to bo evacuated -on June 2nd. Already the greater number of the men havo left, and the classes have ceased, in this camp considerable delay was experienced in _ tho organisation of the classes, and it cannot be said that at Any stage tho work was satisfactory. Early in May, however, the rotunis showed that the attendances at economics had risen to about 300, and other subjects to 120. _ The hospital at Walton-on-Thames is, closing, and the class-work has ceased tlier®. "On necessity attendances tliorw . have been small, but throughout moderate classes have been maintained. Orders have been issued for the evacuation of the camp at Codford by June 30th. In the meantime the men aro to be transferred it accordance with demands _ from Sling. There wfll not be any men available for classes owing to iheSe demancta, and to the large number on embarkation leave, etc. The Education Officer is at present organising classes and a staff exclusively for the V .D. Hospital. As Boon as ho has completed: this work the necessary instructions will be issued for tho transfer or the remaining instructors ■■ and equipment from Codford. With tho closing of each. depot, n. number of instructors and a considerable* amount of equipment are placed at the disposal of A.D.E.. transports. Further transfers will be mnde next week, who?* the position at Codford has been settled. It is difficult to give informing figures concerning tho class-work of the past month. The approach of evacuation a\ deoots always involves a considerable falling-off in attendances. The special tuition given to candidates for matriculation is n<Ttr complete, and the men are. at present sitting for the examination. In Egypt the suspension of classes tni the brigade in the field, due to nativa unrest, continues, as the troops are engaged in patrolling the country in detachments scattered widely .over thd delta. At the training camp at Ismailiol all the men who are fit for duty ar« required for patrols and guards in the towh, and on tho railway jine. Classes are. however, being carried on to a limited extent. Rejpatriation from Egypt is suspended temporarily, but all arrangements have been made, both a* to instructors and equipment, for tlio work to be done on the transports when they sail. • During the month industrial tours took place as under: — Commerce: Business methods and organisation, 27 officers and other ranks; leather and bootmaking, 28; printing and panor trades. 18; post and telegraph, 24; textile trade exhibition, 41; economics (Mint, market, etc. 1 ). 7. Architectural and Building Trades: Building trades. 23; cabinetmakers, 8; towi nlanning. 28. Engm«»e*ing: Shipbuilding 20; motor, 30; steel and iron manufacture, cbc., 31: electrical, 10: cinema, 6.

. Acrriculturo: Wool sales, 52,; live103: be© famine;, 34; poultry. 39; fruit, 13: seed testing, 3; Glasgow allow. 68; Belfast Show, 69. Other Summary. Officers, ranks. Commerce ••• .... B Architectural and building 1 58 Engineering ... ... — 107 Agriculture ... ... 16 44 5 22 740 The numbers attending are not hs ereat as was anticipated, the fallinsr-off 1 d"c urincipnllv +o the impo'unious st*te rf the men and <he ; r unsettled condition due to anticipation of early departure. HIGHER EDUCATION. The following figures show the nature of training, and the numbers wlio have benefited by educational classes in English institutions. Totals of officers and other ranks who are taking, or have_ completed, courses with institutions within the United Kingdom to May :3th, 1919:— General education 75. commercial 113, engineering: electrical 26, telegraph 4, aeronautical 14, motor 32, civil 8, marine 2; agriculture 61, architecture 38, law 27, medical, optica, pharmacy 45, physical culture % music and vocal'B3. art-drawing; painting; etc., 14, cinema photography «nS operating 8, brick and tile-makirw 2. cookery 1, photography 4, printing and lithography 0, plumbing 1, eign writing 1, tailoring 223, upfiolsterjn<z 1, woodwork 6, railway experience in U.K. 33 mining 1, aeroplane construction 3 —total 593.