HC Deb 13 June 1951 vol 488 cc2288-90
29. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the composition, powers and duties of district education boards in Kenya; and to whom they are responsible.

Mr. J. Griffiths

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hynd

Can my right hon. Friend say whether those committees are responsible to the local education authorities.

Mr. Griffiths

Perhaps my hon. Friend will study the full answer I am giving, after which, if he likes, he can put down another Question.

Mr. Frederick Elwyn Jones

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any Africans on these education boards?

Mr. Griffiths

If my hon. Friend will study the very full details I am giving, he will find that his question is answered.

The composition of district education boards in Kenya is as follows:

The District Commissioner—Chairman.

An education officer—Secretary and Executive Officer.

Four representatives appointed by the African district council.

Four representatives of the school managers nominated by the Provincial Commissioner, with powers to invite persons whose knowledge and experience the board wishes to consult to attend as visitors, but not to vote.

2. The powers and duties of the boards are as follows:

  1. (a) To prepare and approve all estimates of revenue and expenditure on education in approved intermediate day schools and primary schools in the district and to submit these to the African district council and to the Director of Education.
  2. (b) To receive subventions from the Government and from the African district council concerned towards the capital and recurrent costs of such education.
  3. (c) To receive school fees collected in such schools at the rates prescribed.
  4. (d) To pay grants-in-aid to school managers in conformity with the Grant-in-Aid Rules and with approved estimates.
  5. (e) To secure the carrying out of capital projects in conformity with an approved plan through such agents as it may appoint.
  6. (f) To call for and collate such statistical financial and other reports as the Director of Education shall require.
  7. (g) To advise the Director of Education on the progress and development of African education.
  8. (h) To discharge any other function delegated to it by the Director of Education.

3. The boards are responsible to the Director of Education.

30. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further education is proposed for African children in Kenya who fail to pass the examination for the intermediate schools after a four-year primary course; and whether he is aware that about three-quarters of the African children are concerned.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Every effort is made to continue the education of these children on informal lines through community development, provision of literature and other activities. I am aware of the magnitude of the problem in Kenya and elsewhere and would assure my hon. Friend that it continues to receive my closest attention.

Mr. Hynd

As I gather from my right hon. Friend's reply that he himself is not satisfied with the position, is he aware there are no technical schools or other similar opportunities for these children, 75 per cent. of whom are left high and dry at the age of about 11 years? Does he consider that satisfactory?

Mr. Griffiths

I have come back from Kenya and Uganda conscious of the fact that perhaps the first priority is rapid expansion of technical education at every possible level.

Colonel Ropner

Is the Minister aware of the view of many education authorities in Kenya that it is a mistake in present circumstances to provide too high an education, the result of which is that these young people drift into the towns and very often remain unemployed?

Mr. Griffiths

That is not the problem. The problem is that technical education has been neglected even more than other forms of education.

31. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the posts of education officer and assistant African education officers in Kenya are to be filled by experienced African teachers who have returned to Kenya after taking education courses in this country.

Mr. J. Griffiths

None of the posts of education officer are reserved to Europeans, though one has been created specifically to be held by an African. It is impossible to say how many African teachers with the qualifications mentioned will come forward to fill these posts. The posts of assistant education officer are reserved for Africans, and as a result of the Beecher Report three such new posts have been created.

Mr. Hynd

While the posts have been created, will my right hon. Friend take special steps to try and give ample opportunity to the experienced African teachers who have returned from courses in the United Kingdom to secure those posts?

Mr. Griffiths

These posts will be for Africans.