EDUCATION IN THE ARMED FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1942, Page 4

EDUCATION IN THE ARMED FORCES

The calling-up of men from the age of 18 years upwards for military service has created a serious educational problem, which, if it is not rlealt with effectively, may have very detrimental effects not only on the individuals concerned, but on the nation as a-whole. It is clear from complaints that have been made recently that the facilities provided in the various military establishments to enable men to continue their studies ai£ altogether inadequate, if, in many cases, they exist at all. As a result, many young men, as well as their parents, are seriously concerned at the possibility of their careers being jeopardised. There is also a very grave danger of a number of the young men losing the desire to study. jThe Vice-chancellor of the University

of New Zealand. Sir Thomas Hunter, said yesterday that there is probably no university in the British Empire that has done more than the University of New Zealand to minimise the hardships which must necessarily fall on mobilised students, and he outlined the measures that have been adopted. This is satisfactory as far as it goes, but the full responsibility for providing educational facilities for men in the Armed Forces does not belong to the University. An even greater responsibility belongs to the Government. Whatever the University may set out to do, it cannot hope to meet the position unless there is a greater measure of cooperation on the part of the Government and the military authorities.

There are obvious difficulties in the way of providing educational facilities for men who are on active service overseas, but there does not appear to be any reason why a scheme should not be devised to meet the educational needs of those serving within New Zealand. Sir Thomas Hunter states that the Government has been strongly urged by the University to introduce a comprehensive scheme of education for the Armed Forces, but so far there has been no evidence that the representations have been successful. In Britain education plays an important part in the training of the Armed Forces, and the results have been most encouraging. Specially selected lectui-ers, drawn in the main from the universities and the public schools, regularly visit military establishments, and their efforts have been greatly appreciated both by the authorities and by the men themselvesv The lectures, in fact, have rivalled in popularity concerts, moving pictures, and other entertainments provided for the men. In New Zealand it might not be possible to put such a comprehensive scheme into operation, but, provided the military authorities co-operate, there should be no difficulty in bringing about a marked improvement in the facilities for study in the camps. Certainly, those who desire to continue their studies should be given every opportunity to do so. The natural anxiety of parents about the possible effect of an interruption of studies on their sons' careers becomes all.the greater when they read reports that men in detention camps are given facilities for continuing their studies. The whole question of the educational needs of members of the Armed Forces should receive the urgent attention of the Government.