DUKES VIEW OF EDUCATION

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27191, 7 November 1953, Page 7

DUKES VIEW OF EDUCATION

“Should Be Kept As Wide As Possible”

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6. After his installation as Chancellor

of Edinburgh University, the Duke of Edinburgh made what he called “some comments” on education, a subject, he said, he had chosen for two reasons. The first was a purely personal one •—he wanted to find out something about the subject for himself —-and -the second was his conviction of its vital importance to Britain, now and for the future. “I am naturally delighted with my new position as Chanceller of the University, and perhaps a little flattered, especially as I have never had the privilege of attending a university myself. “Education,* unfortunately, means different things to different people. But whatever its meaning, there is no doubt that all schools have a three-fold responsibility—training the intellect, actively developing the character, and providing a practical preparation for “Ideally, education should be kept as wide as possible until it is essential to specialise for a particular profession or vocation.

“Far be it from me to tell the teacher his business, but in my opinion intense specialisation is neither necessary nor desirable at any school It is only-a minority who go on to university from school. “For the great majority, two years’ national service is* really the final stage of their education, as far as their preparation for life is concerned. “Service with the armed forces

might not be a severe intellectual exerx cise, but it can be a very important character-building experience.” Speaking of the university, the Duke laid that with the growing complexity of modem life, an ever-increasing degree of specialisation was becoming a professional necessity. “Universities may' decry the necessity, cries of ‘polytechnic’ may be raised, but specialisation is here to stay. The real problem is to see that specialisation doesn’t become exclusive. “The quality of a democracy is a reflection of the qualities of its citi-, zens, and it rests particularly with the universities to instil and foster those qualities of knowledge, understanding and tolerance which are so badly needed by everyone.”