Education

HC Deb 07 July 1960 vol 626 c670

5. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportions of children of school age of the Eureopean, Asian, Arab, and African communities in Kenya are attending schools, respectively; what proportions are attending secondary schools; what is the number of multi-racial schools: and what is the annual cost, per child, of education for the different races.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the answer is long and detailed, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Brockway

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, in summary, whether these figures indicate that there is segregation in education according to race in Kenya and that those who receive the least aid are the children of the African population, who are the majority?

Mr. Macleod

Part of my answer shows that there are 14 schools which admit children without distinction as to race. Naturally, one would like to see that number considerably increased. I have given the comparable figures as far as I can, but it is immensely difficult to compare like with like because of the greater dependency of the non-African communities on boarding schools at the primary stage of education, which inevitably increases the cost.

Following is the answer: Accurate and up-to-date population statistics will not be available until after the census next year, and in their absence I will not venture on a precise reply to the first two parts of the hon. Member's question. Few children of any community who reach school age and seek admission to primary school now fail to find a place. Fourteen schools admit children without distinction of race. The estimated cost per child for primary, intermediate and secondary education taken together is: European£41; Asian£22; Arab£25; African£4. But, because mainly of the greater dependence of non-African communities on boarding schools at the primary stage, the figures do not reflect comparison of like with like. This is shown by the comparative figures for secondary education where the net charge on public funds this year will be: European£87; Asian£41; Arab£69; and African£99.