NEW DELHI: Weakness in the Education System is the main reason for the difficulty which the army has been experiencing in securing enough officers of the right type, saidLieut-Gen. Sir Henry Willcox, Chairman of the C.-in-C.’s Re-organisation Committee, in a talk to members of the Central Legislature.

“I have no doubt that the C.-in-C.’s policy of complete Indianisation can be and will be attained in the peace time army within a reasonable number of years,” said Gen. Willcox. “But if one regards the peace time army as the required nucleus for expansion in war, then difficulties begin to appear. The Indian soldier is such a magnificent fighting man that only the very best officers are worthy to be his leaders. If the standard is lowered, the army would very soon deteriorate to a third rate one ... My committee has had this question under very close examination and we have come to the conclusion that it is one of the bottlenecks of expansion. The blame can be laid at the door of the education system.

“[It] fails to develop strength of character, initiative, sense of responsibility … leadership and unselfishness, all of which qualities are indispensable in the young officer…”

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020