Lesssons Learned: The Evolution of Education in Ontario: Military Training and the War Effort - Page Banner

Military training was adopted into the curriculum in 1871 under a provision in the School Act of that year. This provision allowed for the formation of cadet corps of students in high school and collegiate institutes, under the instruction of specially trained teachers. The students' training consisted of instructions in sections of the infantry drill and rifle exercises (manual firing and bayonet exercises).
Photo: St. Mary’s Cadet Corps [drill], 1917

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St. Mary’s Cadet Corps [drill], 1917
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-832
Archives of Ontario, I0021554

 Photo: St. Mary’s Cadet Officers [in uniform], June 1916

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St. Mary’s Cadet Officers [in uniform], June 1916
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-832
Archives of Ontario, I0021553
Photo: St. Mary’s Cadet Band, March 1917

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St. Mary’s Cadet Band, March 1917
Ministry of Education
Black and white print
Reference Code: RG 2-43, 4-832
Archives of Ontario, I0021550

Originally, cadet corps were not to be employed in active service. This quickly changed, however, as Canada entered for the First and Second World Wars. Young men who were nearly finished secondary school or in normal school were encouraged to enlist to go overseas and serve their country and the Empire. In fact, many of the students were so eager to enlist that they appealed to the Department of Education to grant them their graduation certificates before they actually finished their courses and passed their examinations. The Department acknowledged their patriotic zeal and made this possible by exempting the students from final examinations, provided they follow specific regulations.
Video clip of cadet corps, Jarvis Collegiate Institute

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Video clip of cadet corps, Jarvis Collegiate Institute
Walter Moorhouse fonds
Reference Code: C 231-18-0-1
Archives of Ontario

Photo: High School Cadets, Sarnia, 1944

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High School Cadets, Sarnia, 1944
John Boyd fonds
Black and white print
Reference Code: C 7-2-0-34, 10833
Archives of Ontario, I0020973

The object of encouraging Military Drill in the High Schools of the Province is not for the purpose of cultivating a military spirit in an aggressive sense, or for the purpose of fastening for any time in the future upon the country a standing army of Canadian soldiers. Experience has shown that for young men from sixteen to twenty, no other drill so effectually develops manliness of form and bearing, as well as physical force and independence as Military Drill. Besides, there is the additional advantage of training in promptness, obedience, attention, and even resoluteness, which are invaluable in the formation of strong character. The tendency to war would in no sense be aggravated by the military training provided through our High Schools and Collegiate Institutes.

From the Report of the Minister of Education, 1898

 

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