§ 40. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Cinder-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement as to the policy pursued with regard to education in the Sudan; whether this is directed towards producing an English culture and a knowledge of English or an Oriental culture and a knowledge of Arabic; or whether the question has not as vet been considered?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Captain Eden)The general system of education in the Sudan is definitely designed to foster indigenous culture and a knowledge of the vernacular, whether Arabic or some local language. In the Gordon College and a few schools subsidiary to it, boys are trained for careers as doctors, engineers, accountants, etc., and for this a knowledge of English is essential for practical purposes, and is therefore provided. A special Commission investigated the working of the Gordon College in 1928–1929. I shall be glad to show the right hon. and gallant Gentleman a copy of the Commission's report if he so desires.