SCIENCE IN THE EXTRA-MURAL DEPART-MENTS OF BRITISH UNIVERSITIES 1946-67.

This article presents information on the study and teaching of science in the Extra-Mural Departments of British Universities in the twentieth century. The twentieth century has brought a change of emphasis with science provision declining dramatically amongst the British University Extra-Mural Departments. There are reputed to be fashions in adult education demand. In University non-vocational provision in particular, science in the 1960s has only modest importance. To some people this is an indication that Extra-Mural Departments have in this area abandoned their responsibilities as community leaders within the field of adult education. The easier route has been taken whereby our limited resources are used to fulfil, in fair abundance, known and safe public demands. If only because of the obligation to establish a well-balanced programme there is a need for Extra-Mural Departments to provide more comprehensively in the area of science courses. Science provision could be greater if more courage was shown, and if initially such courses were given some priority until the education of public taste had begun to catch up with such innovation. The failure to provide more adequately in the sciences is surprising. In an age of scientific and technological revolution a person is increasingly seeing the future in terms of investment in science and technology.