§ 24. Mr. RILEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the grounds for the provision in the Kenya Education Amendment Bill which gives power to inspectors of schools to close schools managed by Africans if they do not approve of the teaching, without right of appeal, whereas in the case of a school managed by non-Africans there is a right of appeal to the Governor; and whether he has received a petition from the Kikuyu Independent Schools Association protesting against the discrimination?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Bill, which has now been passed, was introduced because many of the independent African schools in the native reserves were inefficient and there was no means of compelling them to conform more closely with 1516 the education syllabus approved by Government. The power of closure can only be exercised by the Director of Education after consulting the District Education Board (on which there is a majority of natives) or—if there be no such board—the Advisory Council on African Education. The Director of Education has given an assurance that no action would be taken against the managers of any school without their first being afforded an opportunity of appearing before one or other of those bodies, and that every facility would be given to them to make any alteration in the curriculum that was required. I am satisfied that this affords a sufficient safeguard against any injudicious exercise of these powers. I have not received any petition in the matter.
§ Mr. PALINGIn cases where schools are closed because of inefficiency, are steps taken to put up other schools?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI would like to have notice of that question.