§ 29. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration he is giving to the possibility of establishing compulsory education for African children in large towns such as Nairobi and Mombasa; and what practical steps are being taken to meet the wishes of local inhabitants.
Mr. Creech JonesThe hon. Member will appreciate that this is a matter for the Kenya Government. At present that Government has no proposals for compulsory education for Africans in towns such as Nairobi and Mombasa. This is largely due to lack of finance. The new ten-year programme aims at providing within the next 10 years, a full primary course for half the African children of school age in Kenya, but much will depend on the willingness of local bodies to tax themselves.