Chapter VI.

PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
As far as education is concerned, the Gold Coast has arrived at a critical point in its history ; it is entering the period of transition from the old to the new system of education.
The period will last for about seven years ; it is the period during which Achimota College will be built and at the end of which it will first take effect, a period during which the organisation of the new educational system must be planned and perfected. It is impossible at this moment to say exactly what that new system will be beyond stating that it will contain the provision of ample training facilities for all the trades and profes- sions. In the general scheme, we shall provide for the agriculturist ; the brick-maker, metal-worker, carpenter, and electrician; the sanitary inspector, nurse, midwife, and dispenser; the surveyor and engineer; the barrister, doctor and merchant ; but first of all for the good citizen.
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The following is a brief description of the general scheme of education that is at this moment steadily maturing in the Gold Coast: —
Firstly, a Primary Education system, consisting of the improvement and extension of the present primary schools for literary education ; and the addition to their curriculum of practical instruction in local industries, such as basket-making, etc. ; the extension of our present system* of junior trade schools for practical training in craftsmanship in addition to literary instruction ; the
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extension and better organisation of our existing classes for midwives, nurses, dispensers, and sanitary inspectors; the development of our present training centre for the subordinates of the Agricultural and Forestry Depart-* ments ; the better organisation of the Railway and Public "Works Department classes for the training of engine- drivers, artisans and road foremen.
Secondly, the Secondary Education system, consist- ing of the construction of secondary schools as soon as the staff therefor becomes available ; the encouragement and assistance of such mission secondary schools as may now be in existence ; the improvement of the Accra Technical School to give a higher form of education and of training in crafts to students from primary schools of that nature ; the improvement of the educational methods of the existing survey school ; and the addition of higher education and training to the present primary, institutions of the nature of the Agricultural and Forestry Training Centre.
Thirdly, the system of Higher Education, consisting of Achimota, first tof all as a University College — and then as a University at which students will be fitted in a gradually increasing degree for responsible duties in trades, industries, and professions — in conjunction with the formation of local institutions for medical and engineering training. The whole aim will be to obviate the necessity for Africans proceeding to Europe to secure their higher education.
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