Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/326

 274 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN

The population in 1917 was estimated at 3,400,000. The Gambela Enclave which is situated within the boundaries of Abyssinia, is leased by the Sudan Government from the Abyssinian Government as a Trading Post. The Eritrea-Sudan frontier has been completely delimited and demarcated, as also has the greater part of the frontier with Abvssinia (see under Abyssinia). The chief towns are: Khartum, population 23,083, the capital ; Omdurman (the old Dervish capital), population 50,429 ; Khartum North, population 15,973 ; Haifa, Merowe, El Damer, Atbara, Port Sudan, Suakin, Kassala, El Dueim, Kosti, El Obeid, Nahud, Wad Medani, Singa, and El Fasher.

Instruction.

The schools under the Central Authority are classified as follows: — There are first the elementary vernacular schools (Kuttabs), 74 in number (December, 1919), situated in all parts of the country, and with a total number of about 6, 667 pupils. In these schools instruction is given to boys from 7 to 10 years of age in reading, writing, arithmetic and religion. Next there are the primary schools, of which there are now six — at Khartum, Omdurman, "Wad Medani, Atbara, El Obeid, and Suakin. The subjects taught in schools of this class include English, Arabic, Mathematics, and the total number of boys in attendance is 1,051. After completing their primary course, boys can proceed to the upper school at the Gordon College, or they may be employed as clerks or translators in Government Offices. The upper school at Gordon College is attended by 98 pupils, some of whom take a course in engineering and surveying, while the rest are trained to be teachers in primary schools or translators. There is also in . the Gordon College buildings a training college attended by 65 students, who undergo a five years' course of training, after which they are drafted out as Kadis in district courts. The industrial workshops, of which there are at present two, at Khartum and Omdurman, are attended by 190 boy apprentices. At Khartum smith work, carpentry, fitting, &c, are taught, and at Omdurman stone-cutting, pottery, and brick-work. A primary school has been constructed adjacent to the Gordon College, and some of the boys board in the Gordon College. A start has been made in the education of girls by the opening of girls' schools at Rufaa, El Obeid, Dongola, Merowe, and Kamlin, which are attended by 261 girls altogether. Affiliated to the Gordon College are the "Wellcome Tropical Research Labora- tories, where investigations are carried on in connection with diseases and with the economic products of the country.

A Central Research Farm has been organised at Khartum North, under the auspices of the Education Department, for the furtherance of agricultural research and education. Laboratories have been built and equipped for the study of agricultural botany, physiology and bacteriology. Comparative field experiments with such staple crops as cotton, wheat and lubia are supplemented by sections devoted to plant introduction, seed selection, horticulture, experimental forestry and market gardening.

The geological survey, the antiquities service, and the natural history museum are also attached to the Education Department.

Justice.

The High Court of Justice for the trial of civil suits comprises the Court of Appeal and Courts of original jurisdiction. Judges of the High Court sitting singly have general original jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal is constituted by three or more Judges of the High Court sitting together, all Judges of the High Court being members of the Court of Appeal.