EDUCATION SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25798, 20 March 1945, Page 6

EDUCATION SERVICE

NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS The general educational plan for New Zealanders in the United Kingdom includes refresher courses at the great English universities and a personal contact schsme under which soldiers are able to meet competent English members of their own trade cr profession, says an official statement on the activities of the New Zealand Educational and Rehabilitation Service. In addition to providing for the treops in that theatre and small parties of repatriated prisoners, the United Kingdom branch of the service is preparing for the large numbers of prisoners of war expected to be released with the collapse of Germany. Already 1400 New Zealanders who are still prisoners have applied through the Red Cross book section for study courses, and the educational and rehabilitation service is meeting the demand. Information on all aspects of rehabilitation is given to returning servicemen by specially trained officers who accompany them from their assembly point to New Zealand. An essential qualification for the appointment of these officers is previous overseas service in this war. The New Zealand scheme was the first to be established, the statement concluded, and much of it has served as a model for schemes instituted for other Empire troops. Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom have similar organisations operating in the Middle East.