HC Deb 21 July 1960 vol 627 cc708-9
10. Mr. Oram

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportions of children of school age of the Chinese, Malay and Iban communities, respectively, of Sarawak are receiving full-time education; and how much of the cost in each case is being met from public funds, and how much from private sources.

Mr. J. Amery

A very approximate estimate, pending the result of this year's census, is 85 per cent. of the Chinese, and 65 per cent. of the Malay, Iban and other groups combined. Public funds meet roughly 60 per cent. of the recurrent cost for Chinese and 85 per cent. for Malays and Ibans.

Mr. Oram

Do not these figures show that the Chinese have better educational facilities than the other two communities and that this is largely due to their own voluntary efforts? As there are signs that this leads to resentment among the other communities, can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that, in seeking to avoid an increase in this resentment, he will pursue a policy of equalising up to the Chinese level and provide multiracial schools rather than put any kind of restraint upon the development of Chinese education?

Mr. Amery

The figures show that the greater proportion of Government aid goes to public aid for schools for the Malays and Ibans—85 per cent. for the Ibans as against 60 per cent. for the Chinese. The main obstacle among the Malayan and Iban communities is the shortage of teachers.

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