HC Deb 22 July 1958 vol 592 c219
46. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when and to what level African school fees have been raised in the Kiambu area of Kenya.

Mr. Profumo

Except in two locations, where they were lowered for primary education, fees in African primary schools and intermediate grant-aided schools in the Kiambu district were raised on 1st January this year. The new fees are those given in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 29th April. Fees in Government schools have not been raised.

Mrs. Castle

In view of the fact that, according to the reply to which the hon. Member has referred, the average monthly wage of Africans on European farms is 62s. and on African farms considerably less, does not the hon. Member agree that the time has come to abolish these fees rather than to consider increasing them in any direction? Even 5s. a month in school fees is an intolerable burden upon a wage of that level.

Mr. Profumo

The fees were raised following the recommendation of the District Education Board and at the request of the African District Council.

Back to