HC Deb 09 March 1949 vol 462 cc1172-3
43. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent educational advance has taken place during the last three years in the Northern Region of Nigeria; approximately how many boys and girls, respectively, are now receiving primary and secondary education in that region; and what steps have been taken to encourage university education for suitable students.

Mr. Creech Jones

There has been a steady increase in the number of schools, and of children under instruction, and a determined effort is being made to increase the pace of advance. Today about 54,000 boys and 17,000 girls are receiving primary and secondary education in this Region. Under a new scheme which greatly increases the number of scholarships for higher educational training, the Nigerian Government are giving special consideration to the claims of candidates from the North.

Mr. Sorensen

Would my right hon. Friend say whether this denotes a very substantial increase on three years ago? Could he also give some idea of the nature of the assistance now being given towards encouraging university education and whether it applies to women as well as to men?

Mr. Creech Jones

It applies to women as well as to men, but of course, there are religious difficulties in the Northern Territories. The figures which I am prepared to supply for the information of my hon. Friend show a very considerable increase over the last few years.

Dr. Segal

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of these figures are children who are receiving education in private schools? Is he aware of the very unsatisfactory nature of this education given under private auspices?

Mr. Creech Jones

I do not know what private schools there are. There are the Koranic schools; figures for the Koranic schools are not included in the figures which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

1. Number of children receiving primary education in 1937 20,000
Number of children receiving primary education in 1947 70,000
2. Number of children receiving secondary education in 1937 65
Number of children receiving secondary education in 1947 251
3. Number of primary schools in 1937 500
Number of primary schools in 1947 over
1,100
4. Number of secondary schools in 1937 1
Number of secondary schools in 1947 3
5. Number of teacher training institutions in 1937 4
Number of teacher training institutions in 1947 18
6. In the forthcoming financial year the Northern Region proposes to spend £1,375,000 on education out of a total Budget of £4,200,000.