SOLDIERS on the front line are so dedicated to gaining vital English and maths GCSEs some have sat exams – while under fire.

Learning education officer Lieutenant James Ashton at Camp Bastion revealed he had applied to UK exam boards for special consideration when some students have been forced to drop their pens and pick up a gun when they have come under fire.

He said there had been occasions where improvised explosive devices had gone off, shots have been fired as they answer questions or they have taken the tests in the back of army vehicles.

Mr Ashton, whose family originates from Kendal, said: “Exams have been conducted in the back of the Mastiff vehicle.

"Sometimes there is indirect fire noise from arms fire but you become immune to the noises. This is taken into consideration.”

The team focuses on level one and two basic English and maths and education officers have taught soldiers from battle groups such as the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in hangars and patrol bases.

And Lieutenant Ashton said the teaching of each course was designed to cater for each soldier’s needs.

The GCSE courses are free but the army also gives each member an allocation for education a year for over 200 courses on offer.

After eight years’ service they are entitled to £6,500 towards a course.

Lieutenant Ashton said: “These are nationally recognised qualifications not just army qualifications. The numbers without qualifications is significantly higher than in society as a whole. But the learning centre sees between 540 and 580 soldiers a month.

“There is no messing around. They are always motivated, they want to learn. Most of them wish they had put more effort in school and realise the exams are needed for promotion.

“This is all about developing people.”

The learning centre, which is under a single tent in Camp Bastion, has a library, a classroom as well as a detailed information centre.

Lieutenant Ashton said: “There is plenty of time to study during down time when soldiers don't have much to do.”

* Click on the link below for more stories by Nafeesa Shan in Afghanistan.