EDUCATION IN THE ARMY
SIR,—I read with much interest the excellent article From School to Army by the headmaster of Tonbridge, in The Spectator of December 31st. There is one small point, however, on which the writer has been mis- led. I refer to the suggestion that boys during their National Service will have no opportunity for serious reading, and will find difficulty in con- tinuing their studies. Under the Army Education Scheme, the provision of facilities for the serviceman (including the more academically-minded) is as follows : —(i) Three hours of training time per week compulsorily devoted to instruction and guided reading according to the requirements of the individual. These are known as continuation studies. (ii) COurses and classes conducted at various levels in the soldiers' own time, and known as individual education. (iii) Correspondence courses, arranged and largely paid for by the Army, in all subjects up to degree standard. In contrast to " a corner in a canteen " there are library facilities, includ- ing reference and text-books available in every unit, together with quiet- room and information-room accommodation for concentrated study. Every care is taken to ensure that all members of a unit are made aware of the existence of these facilities.—Yours truly, R. EDGEWORTH-JOHNSTONE, Director of Public Relations.
The War Office, Whitehall, S.W.r1
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