§ 40. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many native children in Kenya are attending grant-aided schools, and what fees are charged?
Mr. M. MacDonald124,005 African children attended grant-aided schools in Kenya in 1938. Elementary school fees are fixed on a district basis and are related to economic conditions. A typical scale is: for boys, 50 cents—that is sixpence—a term rising to three shillings a term in the fifth year; and for girls, free tuition on entry, rising to two shillings a term in the fifth year.
§ 41. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many children have been turned out of the elementary schools in Kenya because of inability to continue to pay fees?
Mr. MacDonaldThe Governor informs me that no cases have been brought to his notice of children being turned out of elementary schools owing to inability to pay fees. Government and mission schools reduce fees for poor pupils.
§ Mr. PalingIf I bring some cases to the right hon. Gentleman's notice, will he inquire into the matter?
§ 42. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many elementary schools provided for the education of native children in Kenya receive a grant-in-aid from public funds; and whether such a grant is dependent upon fees being charged?
Mr. MacDonald367 elementary schools received grants-in-aid in 1938. Grants are not dependent upon fees being charged, but aided schools are advised to charge fees.
§ Mr. PalingIs it desirable to charge fees to children attending those schools when those fees have to be paid by parents who are, in the main, earning about 8s. a month?
Mr. MacDonaldThere is a good deal of elasticity in the matter of fees. It has been found that in cases where fees can be charged, it enables the benefits of education to be spread over a wider population.
§ Mr. PalingIs it really necessary when only about 16 per cent. of the children get any education at all, and when the parents are earning only 8s. a month, that they should have to pay these fees, in addition to heavy direct taxation?
Mr. MacDonaldWages vary from district to district and, as my previous answer indicated, an allowance is made for poor parents.
§ Miss WilkinsonWould not the Minister's answer do away with all free elementary education, if applied to this country; and if we give free elementary education here where wages are high, surely we can do something for these poorly-paid labourers in our own Empire?
§ Miss WilkinsonVery nearly.