§ 19. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children of school age in Northern Nigeria; and if he can furnish particulars of the number who are receiving some education?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI regret that it is not possible to give any estimate of the number of children in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria. According to the latest figures in my possession, the number of children receiving instruction was 395,813, nearly all of whom were attending the native Mohammedan Schools of which there are over 31,000.
§ Mr. SMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is satisfied with the educational development in Northern Nigeria and whether the Report which 33 has been made by a Commission which has visited there will be published and made available to hon. Members?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI do not know to what Report the hon. Member refers. There was a personal visit made by Mr. Fraser at the invitation of the Governor, but any kind of Report made by him for the consideration of the Governor is not framed in a form for publication nor was its publication contemplated when he drew it up. There is the annual Report which is published regarding the progress of education in Northern Nigeria, and the hon. Member will see there development of European educational methods over and above the Mohammedan, has been a matter of consideration.