EDUCATION OF SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 15, 17 July 1918, Page 7

EDUCATION OF SOLDIERS

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 4th July.

The education of the hundreds of thousands of young Australians who went abroad to fight at a time when they would either have been completing their education or undertaking a technical ■training, is one of the big problems which has been attacked in a workmanlike way by tho Australian authorities; and a very complete scheme for training the men in England while they are awaiting transports and during the voyage home has been announced. In addition, a committee representing the Australian University, acting in co-operation with the Federal authorities, is making special provision for students who donned khaki before their courses were completed. Tho following is the basis of the plan formulated- by the committee, which will probably be put into operation : —

That Australian University students who have matriculated or done some portion of their course be enabled to attend classes at one of the English universities. That such courses beirecognised by the students' own universities.

That the Bureau of the Universities of the Empire be asked to co-operate. That Australian professors in England be asked to act as a board of advice, with power to consult any other authorities.

That the Defence Department bo asked to facilitate the organisation of the scheme, and to give students leave of absence.

That tho Commonwealth Government be asked, where necessary, to'provide for students' fees and make a living allowance.

That British universities be asked to recognise classes attended in Australian universities, with a view to the admission of students to British degrees after their courses havo been completed in England.

The committee pointed out, with reference to the payment of fees and living allowances,, that the men would in any case bo receiving military pay, which would in most cases be wholly or almost sufficient. Tho principal difficulty in the way of the scheme was that, at the end of the'war, the British universities would probably have more of their own 6tud"tents than tliev knew what to do with.