Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/340

 218 THE BRITISH EMPIRE : — UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

Tlie system of education was embodied in the Education Act which was pissed during the first session of the first Parliament elected under respon- sible government, and which provides that all education except that of a university ty^ e shall be under the provincial authority. The Colony has been divided for the purposes of local control and management into twenty-seven school districts, each under a School Board chosen by the Parliamentary electors. All the schools within the school district, with the exception of schools for natives and certain secondary schools, are under the supervision of the Board. Each school may have a Committee elected by the parents and guardians of the children enrolled. Recommendations of Committees come under the review of the Boards and may be modified or rejected by them.

The following table gives statistics of education for Dec. 31, 1911 : —

~

Schools

Final Enrolment

Average Enrolment

Average Attendance

High Schools

Secondary Departments of rrimary

Scliools ..... Town and Village Schools Country Schools and Farm Aided

Schools

6

140 .546

1,416

980 31,33(5

19,302

1,417

],006 30,907

10,130

1,307

917 28,191

16,416

Total. Coloured Schools ....

692 11

53,034 1,639

52,400 1,697

46,831 1.409

Total.

703

54,f^73

54,157

48,210

The 3 Normal Colleges had 209 enrolled students. There are 227 native schools, which have 13,367 pupils. The number of pupils in secondary schools on December 31, 1911, was 2,396.

In respect of the question of language, the medium of in.struction up to and including the fourth standard is the home language (English or Dutch) of the pupil, but parents may request that the second language be gradually introduced as a second medium. Above the fourth standard provision is made for the instruction of pupils through the medium of English and Dutch, and the parent of each pupil may choose one of the two languages as the sole medium of instruction, or both of the languages as the media of instruction. If the parent of any pupil fails to exercise his right of choice, that pupil is instructed through the medium of the language which is the better known and understood by him, the other lauguage being also used as far as possible as a medium of instruction. Bible History is taught in every school, but no doctrine or dogma peculiar to any religious denomination or sect may be taught.

Finance. — Since the coming into effect of the Union there is only one financial statement for the four provinces together. Particulars are given above under the Union. The only Provincial Ptevenue at present is the amount voted by Parliament by way of subsidies for the ]>erformance of the services and duties assigned to the Provinces. While the three other Provinces publish particulars of the estimate of this grant, Transvaal does not. The only available figures are the following : —

• Estimated expenditure for year ending April, 1912, £1,367,075

1913, £1,392,900