Serious defects in the Rhodesian education system are being attacked by the international university organisation World University Service.

Students and university staff throughout the world, united in this international organisation, are financing an important part of the Rhodesian education system.

Of the four million Africans in Rhodesia 120,000 have completed primary school, but only 2712 have school certificate ("O" level) and only 112 have senior school certificate ("A" level).

Under the 1961 Constitution, the franchise is based on a sliding scale of education and finance (income and property). Without greatly increased educational opportunities, few Africans are able to get the jobs which would enable them to qualify to vote.

Recent Aid

Since 1961, World University Service has been providing educational opportunities to Africans in Rhodesia.

Help to Rhodesia came in that year in the form of scholarship aid to individual non-white students at the University College, Salisbury, to which students of all races are admitted.

The great bottleneck in the system of education for Africans is, however, at the upper secondary level: there are only two Government High Schools offering "A" level courses.

A programme of pre-university scholarships has been devised by the Rhodesian WUS Committee, in co operation with the University College, Salisbury which has established a one-year pre-university course for students, who have obtained GCE "O" level, to obtain GCE "A" level qualifications suitable for admission to the University College itself.

The "A" level course is very successful and already producing more university entrants than the two Government High Schools for Africans (which offer "A" level courses.)

Growing Numbers

In 1963, 21 of the 34 Africans who were admitted to the "A" level course passed and became eligible for university entry. The following year 16 of 22 Africans taking the course became eligible for university admission. In 1965, there were 45 students taking the "A" level course, and it is hoped to bring a further 40 into the scheme in 1966.

The costs of maintaining a student through the "A" level course are about £275 per annum. Over £8000 a year will be needed for this and future years. WUS International assistance will be added to that of the local WUS Committee to ensure the continuance of this vitally important scholarship programme.

It is of note that following an urgent appeal from the headmaster of one of the Government High Schools, in April this year International WUS raised and sent £125 to enable nine African students, each with excellent "O" level school certificates, to continue to "A" level.

WUS is aiming at expanding this programme so that the Africans of Rhodesia can gain the education which they need to improve themselves.