§ 36. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the apprehension that the proposed Ordinance in regard to education in Sierra Leone will lead to the closing of schools; and whether he will give the assurance that the number of schools and school-places will not be reduced but increased after the passing of the Bill?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo representations have reached me to the effect stated in the first part of the question. It is the policy of the Sierra Leone Government to extend, rather than to curtail, the facilities for education; and the power to order a school to be closed, which is aimed at cases such as those in which a school may be deemed to be inefficient or to be conducted in an unsuitable building, will only be used with due care. The new Ordinance follows closely that which has been in force in Nigeria.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that, because of the Clause in the Ordinance which gives power for the closing of schools, there is considerable apprehension; and does he further 1153 recognise that the natives would prefer inefficient schools to no schools at all? Further, can he give the assurance asked for in the last part of my question, that the number of schools and school places will not be reduced?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIt is very difficult to say. In this country, of course, we are carrying on, quite rightly, a campaign against bad school buildings, and so on, and I think that Sierra Leone is sufficiently advanced now, and has sufficient revenues, to make sure that any education given there is efficient, and is conducted in properly healthy surroundings.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I take it that the number of school places will not be reduced?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI cannot tell.