Oral Answers to Questions — African Colonies – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 7 Ebrill 1948.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the United Nations' resolution against racial discrimination affecting teachers has been accepted and applied in respect of salaries to those teaching in West African schools; and what are the approximate salaries paid to European and African teachers, respectively.
Mr. Creech Jones:
I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the resolution of the Second Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, held in November, 1947, on the subject of a Teachers' Charter, which refers to bars founded on distinctions of race, colour, sex or creed. There is, of course, no question of racial discrimina- tion in West African Government educational institutions. European and African teachers in the senior grades are paid on the same scales of basic salary, which commence at£450 and rise to maxima varying from£600 to£1,000. Europeans receive in addition an expatriation allowance, which ranges from£150 to£300 a year. Teaching posts in the junior grades are held exclusively by Africans.
Do I understand the Secretary of State to say that this applies to all teachers in all kinds of schools, or only in Government schools? I think the latter. If so, could my right hon. Friend say what action is being taken to see that the same principle applies to the other schools as already applies to Government schools?
Mr. Creech Jones:
I have no effective control in regard to mission schools. My answer does relate exclusively to Government schools.
Then, could the Secretary of State take any action at all, at least to recommend that mission schools should bring their scales up to those operating in Government schools?
Mr. Creech Jones:
This presents very considerable difficulty for mission schools, owing to the absence of funds, but I will draw their attention to the resolution of U.N.E.S.C.O.