HC Deb 25 October 1960 vol 627 cc250-1W
Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the membership and the terms of reference of the official committee on Nyasaland Education being set up under the chairmanship of Professor J. F. V. Phillips; and when the committee will begin its work.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The Committee's terms of reference are:

(1) To examine the existing educational system, its administration, and the method of its financing.

(2) To appraise the demands made on the educational system by the requirements of the Government and of the economy of the Protectorate.

(3) Having due regard to the availability of finance from the Government and other sources and to the availability of staff—

  1. (a) to suggest the type of educational system best fitted to meet these demands and the supplementary educational facilities which might be provided to make good any losses in formal education;
  2. (b) to recommend as a plan how best this system and facilities should be introduced and phased.

(4) To recommend particular aspects of the phased plan which, in the event of there being a shortfall of funds, both capital and recurrent, to implement the plan, might form the subject of approaches to external agencies specialising in the form of development contemplated.

The membership of the Committee has not yet been finally settled, but it is hoped to include, in addition to Professor J. F. V. Phillips and Professor D. 'F. Jack, experienced educationalists from both East and West Africa, and an industrialist with experience and knowledge of conditions in the Federation.

It is intended that the Committee should begin its work about the beginning of January, 1961.

Forward to