§ 41. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African pupils from African-owned and established schools in Nyasaland have been refused admission to Government or mission schools.
§ Mr. HopkinsonNo statistics are kept showing refusals of admission to Government or assisted mission schools, but pupils from African-owned schools are treated no differently from others seeking admission to Government or assisted mission schools.
§ Mr. RankinWill the Minister show a very friendly attitude towards these independent schools, which perform a very necessary function in educating the very young children? Will he note that the Report of the East African Commission is against the suppression of these schools, although it recommends their control.
§ Mr. HopkinsonWe are well aware of the good work done by the African-owned schools. Twenty of them are, of course, already assisted by the Government and have a high standard. It is the case that in the remaining 84 which are run by African-controlled missions or by the Muslims the standard of education is low, but we shall certainly do everything we can to encourage and improve them.
§ 42. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why grants are paid in Nyasaland to mission schools which limit their pupils to the children of parents associated with a particular church.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe Education Rules in Nyasaland preclude the payment of Government grants to mission schools which exclude pupils on denominational grounds.
§ 43. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans from Nyasaland are receiving education, other than higher education within the meaning of the Federal Constitution, with the help of bursaries provided by the Government; what the type of education is; and where it is given.
§ Mr. HopkinsonFive Africans are receiving Government assistance while taking two-year courses at Higher Certificate level, four of them at Goromonzi Secondary School, Southern Rhodesia and 376 one at Munali Secondary School, Northern Rhodesia. About 20 per cent. of pupils at secondary schools receive assistance from Native Treasuries.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that the general level of education in Nyasaland is extremely poor? Although extra revenue can be raised by a territorial surtax for furthering the education of the children, would it not be a good idea if subsidies were granted by Southern and Northern Rhodesia to assist education in Nyasaland, in view of the help migrating labour from Nyasaland gives to both those countries?
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe hon. Member will recall that during the course of the discussions and conferences leading to Federation, one of the things on which the Africans, and the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia insisted was that primary and secondary African education should be kept in the hands of the territories. Apart from that, I would point out that the Nyasaland Government's five-year plan for the development of African primary and post-primary education now provides for an increase in the annual enrolment from 86,000 in 1953 to no less than 130,000 by the end of the plan, so a great deal is to be done.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the Federal Constitution there is still power to levy a territorial surtax, but that Nyasaland cannot take advantage of it as Southern and Northern Rhodesia can? Therefore, should not Southern and Northern Rhodesia help?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI will bear that point in mind.