In 1846 the Corps of Army Schoolmasters was established to provide literacy and numeracy education.In 1857 three Army certificates of education were introduced. To pass the lowest, the Third Class, a soldier had to be able to read aloud, take a short passage of dictation and do simple arithmetic. By the end of the 19th century all soldiers had to attend army school.

A Third Class certificate was needed to get promotion to Corporal and the First Class for promotion to Warrant Officer.