Education (Hansard, 16 March 1961)

§ 3. Mr. Swingler
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what long-term plans have been made for the establishment of universal primary and secondary education in Kenya, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland; and over what period it is aimed to realise these plans.

§ Mr. Iain Macleod
There are no such formal long-term plans in these territories, but each aims to extend primary and secondary education facilities for Africans as far as available resources will allow, until universal primary and secondary education are achieved.

§ Mr. Swingler
Is this really not one of the most vital questions of all on which some immediate research should be concentrated? Is it not a fact, of which the Secretary of State is aware, that the present plans provide for a very slow rate of progress, involving in all cases 5 per cent. or less of the children, and that really no long-term plans have been made for the introduction of universal education, which is the most important basis for democracy?

§ Mr. Macleod
Of course, I agree with the importance of this subject, and each of the three territories which the hon. Member mentions devotes a large proportion of its revenue to education. Where we possibly can, through C.D. and W. and other methods, we aim to help.

§ Mr. F. Harris
Does not my right hon. Friend agree that Kenya, in particular, has an outstanding record in this education matter compared with other Colonial Territories?

§ Mr. Macleod
Kenya has certainly a very fine record. We have been considering the problems of Kenya's budget with her Finance Minister during the last few days.

§ 4. Mr. Swingler
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are at present the limiting factors on the expansion of the school-building programmes for Kenya, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.

§ Mr. Iain Macleod
The limiting factors in these territories as elsewhere are the availability of money for capital and recurrent expenditure, the rate at which teachers cam be trained or recruited from overseas, and the building capacities of the territories.

§ Mr. Swingler
Could the Colonial Secretary expand that Answer a little by saying what he is doing immediately to try to overcome these limiting factors, that is, to get a bigger grant of money and a more rapid training of teachers?

§ Mr. Macleod
There are really three main ways in which Her Majesty's Government can help. The first, as I have mentioned, is through the assistance we give through the C.D. and W. Acts; the second through the recently announced scheme for the overseas aid scheme, and, thirdly, through the various schemes which have been developed very recently, schemes for enlisting education co-operation. I think that this is a very good three-pronged attack on this immensely important subject.

§ Mr. P. Williams
Will my right hon. Friend say whether the utmost effort will be put into trade and technical training, because this seems to be the right thing to do at the moment?

§ Mr. Macleod
I try to do that all the time. My hon. Friend will know the sort of trailer of the announcement which I gave about technical aid from this country. I am sure it is right to concentrate our help to the newly developed countries in the form of technical aid which by and large, as far as this country is concerned, means technical people. We think that this is the best service that we can give.