With parents taken away for Chibalo
they remain alone.
against' tropical sources of disease and
despite the fact that their age tends to be
more advanced than that of European first
graders.
All the rudimentary schools in rural
areas are attached to Roman Catholic mission
farms and the students spend a major portion
of the day working in the fields. Many of
these farms produce cash crops which are
sold for the benefit of the church, and the
clergy. Most of these children do not get
beyond the first-grade. The official syllabus
dismisses the entire first year as a period
when nothing of significance should be
taught except how to speak Portuguese.
Portaria No. 6:668 boletim official No. 46.
I serie 1946. P. 482 reads: "Since this class
is attended by peoples who do not know a
single word of Portuguese, it would be useless or even improper to specify any kind of
r rogram".
The education of African children is also
on    many    occasions    disturbed    by    admi
nistrators and other officials.who from time
to time come to take them as required by
buyers for internal forced labour lasting mx
to twelve months in plantations and private
enterprises. (In Mozambique children over
twelve years of age are subject to forced
lal>our whenever required).
Instruction in the mission schools is
carried out by African teachers who are
graduates of the so-called special three-year
post elementary teacher training schools.
The latter may aptly l»e described as rudimentary teachers schools since the level of
instruction offered is distinctly inferior to
that of the puhlic high school. In setting
forth the curriculum for the African teachers
school, the colonial administration makes it
clear that it desires only rudimentary teachers
for its African schools. Portaria No. 6:668
Boletim official No. 46, I Serie, 1946, pages
485-486 reads: "The history of Portugal will
be taught by large epochs and in its main
outlines. Secondary events will only appear
in this scheme of fundamental facts. Eminent
figures and memorable date to provide
continuity. Events of great importance in
the unfolding of the drama of Portuguese
history can only be included in a routine
spirit in as much as it would not bring; any
advance towards the ends which are aimed
at in the development of native teachers. It
should not be concluded however that certain
episodes which historical criticism holds to be
doubtful or even unacceptable need be avoid
ed by the colour with which legend surrounded them. Their narration will produce in
minds which are necessarily uncultured. The
light and the fervor which a knowledge of-
rigid facts  will  not  achieve".
Students who succeed in their three year
rudimentary .school course examinations are
then permitted to begin at the third year
level Primary School (elementary) for three
years as preparation for secondary level
admission.
Secondary  education  is  mostly  available
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