SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS SIR;—Frorn. Many sources we learn that it
has been reported in Britain that Adams.Collegc, one of the foremost boarding schools for Africans in the Union of South Africa, has been closed by the Government. We hope you will find space for a correction and a brief outline of the position.
The South African Government, by the Bantu Education Act, is making education for Africans consistent with their policy of apartheid (in fact partial apartheid). There is a stated intention of gradually removing 'mis- sionary' influence, as this is seen to be liberal and contrary to apartheid. It is suggested that church and mission schools should he handed over to Government control whilst the exist- ing authorities carry on in the capacity of sports and boarding masters and be responsible for religious activities.
High schools and industrial schools are be- ing offered about 65 per cent. of their present subsidies if they wish to retain control them- selves, it being well known that very few churches or institutions could find the balance. This reduced subsidy will in a few years he further reduced to nil. A licence for a free and independent school may be granted by the Minister 'acting on the advice and recom- mendation of the Native Affairs Commission.' The Government insists that all teacher train- ing must he done in Government schools only. Any teacher training done would be done by a Government school with Government- appointed staff.
Adams, which is inter-denominational, com- prises a high school going up to matriculation, an industrial school (three-year courses in building and woodwork) and a teachers' train- ing college. There arc about five hundred students here of both sexes.
After very long and searching discussions the democratic organisation which is the ulti- mate authority of the college (e.g., staff after two years and all old students on application have equal voting powers) decided by a large majority that it was not practicable to have Government schools with Government- appointed staff on the same campus as a group of people who are determined to carry on a Christian Liberal education as long as they are allowed to. Consequently it was decided:
(a) To close down Adams Teacher Training College (not the college as a whole);
(b) To retain control of the high and indus- trial schools with whatever subsidy the Government is willing to pay, and to carry on as long as we are able.
This will mean that the college will have to find from quite fresh sources at least £3,000 per annum from now on. rising to £11,000 per annum when subsidies cease in a few years. Adams may be the only college in the Union offering to Africans some elements in their education they will not get at Government schools, and it is because we feel that this aim is so worth while that we shall he appealing ,to the world at large for both moral and financial support, and hope that you will find space to correct the impression that Adams is closing down. Given support, that is very very far from the case.—Yours faithfully, J. I'. BARDSLEY Adams College, P.O. Adams Mission Station.
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