Schools

Oral Answers to Questions — Swaziland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 April 1961.

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Photo of Mr John Dugdale Mr John Dugdale , West Bromwich 12:00, 20 April 1961

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) if he is aware that permission has been given by the Education Department for the building of 137 private schools in Swaziland and that their sponsors have been warned that it appears most unlikely that any will receive Government aid for many years to come; and what proposals he has for remedying the shortage of schools in this Territory;

(2) whether he is aware that in order to absorb over the next 10 years 75 per cent of the school age population in Swaziland now outside school in classes of 30 some 600 teachers will be needed; and what plans he has for securing them.

Photo of Bernard Braine Bernard Braine , Essex South East

The schools maintained by the Government of Swaziland, and Government-aided schools operated by voluntary agencies, together account for about 80 per cent. of enrolments. These schools cater for more than three times as many students as those mentioned in the right hon. Gentleman's Question, and are receiving priority in the allocation of available funds from the Government. Regarding teachers, the teaching establishment of schools for Africans has grown from 600 to 1,000 since 1955, and is growing at the rate of some fifty to fifty-five posts a year.

Photo of Mr John Dugdale Mr John Dugdale , West Bromwich

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that his very complacent answer will not give great satisfaction in Swaziland where, as is well-known, the education situation is very bad indeed? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is Colonial Development and Welfare Fund money now available which should be used to help private schools which were started because of lack of Government schools? Will not he do something to improve education there generally?

Photo of Bernard Braine Bernard Braine , Essex South East

I do not accept the implications in what the right hon. Gentleman has said. We agreed as recently as February to substantial rises in the salaries of teachers. In addition, a new teachers' training college built with Colonial Development and Welfare Fund money is to be opened early next year. It will enable us to train twice as many teachers as are trained at present.