Postwar Educational Development in Northern Rhodesia: The Political Influence of Special Interest Groups

Abstract

D uring World War II the economy of Northern Rhodesia made a dramatic recovery from the effects of the depression years, and substantial surpluses in budget revenues were real ized. Fears of a postwar recession, however, curbed efforts to increase government expenditure on African education. There were steps taken to improve the standard of education offered and to meet requirements already established for receiving limited government grants. An important economic adjustment in African education was the abolition of school fees, with the loss of revenue being paid by government subsidies. This move was precipitated by the provision of free compulsory education for the European community. The already existing discrepancy between government expenditure for African and European edu cation increased, however, with the European community receiv ing significantly better allowances, capital grants, and educa tional supplies. Agitation by Africans, missionaries, and legislative council members was ignored. The overall statistical gains in African education do not reveal the existence of suspicion and antago nism due to this widening gulf. The struggle to equalize condi tions for mission and civil service teachers was only partly suc cessful. Increased pressure was exerted to end the dual system and to incorporate missions and mission teachers as full partners in the educational system. Political activity by all special interest groups was aimed at changing the system of government. The pattern of European domination and African agitation continued