§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many African graduates are now teaching in territorial schools in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, respectively; and whether any of these have yet been appointed as education officers.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd, pursuant to Mr. Profumo's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd May, 1957; Vol. 570, c. 1232], supplied the following further information
There are fifteen African graduates teaching in schools in Northern Rhodesia and four in Nyasaland. In Nyasaland three are employed in Government Schools and were gazetted education officers upon appointment.
The prospects of advancement for African officers in both territories are similar; the two services are open to all, and, in each, officers of any race with similar personal qualities as well as academic and professional qualifications are employed on the same jobs under the same titles. But the posts of education officer in the two territories are not quite comparable. In Nyasaland, a man with the necessary academic and post-graduate teaching qualifications can be appointed education officer though not considered to be suitable immediately for inspection and administrative duties as well as teaching. In Northern Rhodesia, the posts of education officer and assistant professional officer, the duties of which are similar though more restricted, include these non-teaching duties and no African has yet been considered to be suitable for appointment to them. One or two African masters are shortly coming within the zone of promotion to the post of assistant professional officer. Any officer so promoted will earn a salary comparable to that of African education officers in Nyasaland.