Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/290

 2-38 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — ORANGE FREE STATE

Instruction. — Higher education is under the control of the Minister of Education for the Union, while primary and secondary education is controlled by the Administrator of the Province. Under the School Act of 1908 the Province is divided into 55 school districts, for each of which there is a board consisting partly of elected arid partly of nominated members. Each board is an advisory body, with certain powers of super- vision ; it is also responsible for carrying out the provisions of the law as to compulsory school attendance. The boards have certain advisory functions with regard to the appointment of teachers. Public schools, with certain special exceptions, are under the supervision of committees, the members of which are elected. The functions of these committees also are advisory, but they may nominate teachers for appointment in the discretion of the Director. Grants are given conditionally to private schools. In 1917 there were 731 public and 137 aided private schools in the Province, with a total enrolment of over 36,938 pupils. Fees are charged at all schools, exemption being granted under certain prescribed regulations, and attendance is compulsory up to Standard VI. Except where the parents object both English and Dutch are taught to all children, and where possible are used as equal media of instruction.

The Normal College trains from 80 to 90 teachers annually. The Polytechnic College, established in 1912, trains teachers in art, dressmak- ing, &c. The Home Industries Board directs the spinning and weaving schools throughout the country. The Government Industrial School for boys was opened at Bloemfontein in 1907. Secondary schools have been established in all the leading towns of the Province with more advanced departments preparing pupils up to University Matriculation standard.

Finance- — For financial arrangements see p. 216 above. The following figures show the provincial revenue and expenditure for five years : —

1913-14

1014-15

1915-16

1916-17

1917-18

Revenue :—

£

£

£

130 898

£ 203 456

£ 248 650

Union Subsidy.

341,000

357,278

326,146

345,029

398,406

Total Revenue

503,638

471,423

456,044

6*8,485

647,066

Total Ordinary Expenditure.

476,5.57

486,643

466,399

519,973

611,960

The capital expenditure in 1917-18 was 64,190/.

Production and Industry. — The Province consists of undulating

plains, affording excellent grazing and wide tracts for agricultural purpose.. The raiufall is moderate, The country is still mainly devoted to stock -fanning, although a rapidly increasing quantity of grain is being raised, especially in the Eastern Districts.

For Mining Statistics see p. 220.

Commerce. — Since the coining into ell'oct of the Union there are no special records of trade for each of the Provinces. The British Hoard of Trade statistics, however, continue to give details of trade between the United Kingdom and each Province separately. The following figures show the