MP gets support for school Cadets

A Stafford MP has received support for his call to introduce the Army Cadet Force (ACF) into schools in the area.

David Kidney says opposition from a local religious group is giving an unbalanced view and he called on the Stafford Quakers to learn more about the role of the ACF.

Addressing some of their concerns, the councillor noted: "The Army Cadet Force does not force people into the services, it is not just military."

According to the Staffordshire Post, members of the public are behind the councilor's ambitions. Mike Walker, 68, from Derrington, agreed that time in the cadets could help young people.

"Working with the cadets would give young people a sense of where they are going and what they are doing with their lives," he told the paper.

Teaching assistants may not have experienced either the Army Cadet Force or the Combined Cadet Force as both are often found within private schools.

By widening their reach, councillors could offer additional extra-curricular activities to pupils in the state system, but are likely to come up against strong opposition.

Published On 02/07/2009