§ 81. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Kenya has now concluded the discussions on the Beecher Report; and what decisions have been taken on the objections of African unofficial members of Legislative Council to the composition of the district education boards, on the inadequacy of the four year course planned for primary schools and on the exclusion of Africans, irrespective of qualifications and experience from posts of inspectors, principals of secondary and technical schools and teacher training centres.
Mr. DugdaleYes. A motion to effect certain modifications to the Beecher 225W Report was introduced in the Legislative Council on 20th December. African members who spoke in the debate all supported the motion which was carried without a division. Further study of the Beecher Report has resulted in the realisation by Africans that their original fears that voluntary agencies would exercise complete control over district education boards are unfounded. It is also being realised that to limit the primary course to four years does not mean that children at present in school will be ejected without the chance of further educational progress. The Beecher Report did not exclude from senior educational posts Africans with both the necessary qualifications and experience, and there is no question of such exclusion.