§ 61. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether primary education in Cyprus is now controlled by the Government; and what steps are being taken to train and appoint qualified teachers?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)As I intimated during the discussion on the Colonial Office Estimates, the policy of His Majesty's Government is to bring elementary education in Cyprus under the control of the Government. A local Bill has been drafted and recently submitted to me with the object of giving effect to this policy; and its forthcoming enactment will establish a system by which virtually all powers relating to elementary education will be vested in the Government. Under a Law passed in 1929 the Government assumed control of certain matters such as the appointment of the teachers, and by virtue of this provision it is already in a position to ensure the recruitment for the teaching staff of persons of suitable qualifications and training.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould it be possible for any teacher to be appointed from this country who acquired a knowledge of the Greek language?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would like to consider that point. I am afraid that the question of the standard of remuneration received by teachers in Cyprus would probably arise.