Social Development in the Federation

University of Rhodesia (now University of Zimbabwe)

Education

• The University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was opened in Salisbury in 1957 by the federal government
• The university was multiracial as per the requirements of the partnership
• It was a London University affiliate and London degrees were given at the institution
• Education and research were boosted by the opening of the University
• African education was in the hands of the Territorial Government whilst that of the Europeans was in the hands of the Federal Government
• Many primary and secondary mission, government and private schools were built which expanded up to upper primary (Standard 6)
• Many African children began to go to school up to Standard 6
• The numbers of children who passed Standard 6 increased, i.e. in 1962 the number of children with Standard 6 passes increased from 2 278 to 11 460
• Secondary education was greatly expanded especially during the last years of the Federation
• Teachers training colleges were built in all the colonies
• In Zimbabwe teachers colleges such as Gwelo and Umtali were built
• Senior classes also began for those who wanted to correspond with their studies
• Many Africans were employed in the education sector as school inspectors, teachers and headmasters

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