EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17078, 29 January 1916, Page 7

EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

A NEW ZEALANDER'S EXPERIENCE. It is a far cry to South Africa from New Zealand', but there arc perhaps no other two colonies of the far-flung British domains which hare more in common than these two countries. Mr A. Matheson, who has returned from Johannesburg, gave a "Manawatn Times" reporter some interesting facts concerning edticational and other matters in South Africa, which will be interesting for most people The racial problem has given the educational authorities some trouble, but they seem to have mastered it by the system which thev have employed. In tho Transvaal 90 per cent of the children are Dutch. The system adopted is to teach all the lower classes through the medium of the I>utch language, giving only one lesson in' English. As the pupil rises to higher standards he is given extra English, till he reaches Standard IV., when he is given the opportunity to deride for himself in which language be will continue his studies. Most of the children in Johannesburg. English or Dutch, choose to be taught through the medium of English. It "is compulsory for children to go to school at seven years of ace. though fhey may start at six. Children must pars the fifth standard befoiv lerfring school in the country districts, and the sixth standard in towns. Secondary educational facilities are offered file children in high schools and domestic science schools. The high schools take the pupils to tho matriculation standard, when they can go to the Cape University, or to any or the university colleges, of which there are a number in South Africa.' The teachers are well treated as to salary as compared with New Zealand, but) living is higher, and opportunities .of promotion fewer. Teachers from outside are not encouraged. A workable pensions scheme is now before the Provincial Council, and wffi probably become law in the near future. The Act of Union, 1910. placed education under the control of Provincial Councils for not less than five years; and the system has not been changed.