HC Deb 17 February 1954 vol 523 cc209-10W
70. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total child population of Singapore and Malaya; bow many are of school age; how many cannot attend school because of lack of school accommodation; and when he anticipates that there will be schools for all the children.

Mr. Lyttelton

There are some 2½ million children under 13 years in the Federation of Malaya and Singapore. Rather more than half are of primary school age and some 500,000 of these are not attending school. I cannot say how many of those not attending are prevented solely by lack of school accommodation, since there are other limiting factors such as shortage of teachers.

The Governments of both territories intend to provide education for all children of primary school age as soon as possible. Although progress has been made and sound programmes of building and teacher-training are being carried out, I could not at present forecast when the aim will be achieved.