HC Deb 15 February 1939 vol 343 cc1721-2
63. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the progress made by the Independent Schools Associations in Kenya?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the reply is rather long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

At the end of 1937, there were 59 schools controlled by these associations, of which 54 were authorised and registered. Of these 54, 44 were maintained by the Independent Schools Association and 10 by the Karinga Schools Association. The general policy of the Government of Kenya in regard to these schools is, where possible, to enlist the co-operation of the associations which manage them in order to increase their efficiency, and to this end a European inspector and an African assistant have been provided for work solely in connection with these schools. I understand that the Independent Schools Association (which has now separated from the Kikuyu Central Association) has recently shown a welcome readiness to co-operate with the Government. A number of its schools have complied with the regulations of the Education Department, and have greatly increased in efficiency. The efforts of the Government to secure the co-operation of the Karinga Association (which has now ceased to exist and the management of whose affairs has been taken over by the Kikuyu Central Association) have, however, not so far been so successful.