In 1837 Colonel Bell, the Secretary of the Government,
in a memorandum on the state of education pointed out
very plainly the impotence of the Bible and School Com-
mission, "whose superintendence is next to nothing, for
they cannot visit and examine the schools, and they are
unable even to supply vacant schools with teachers."
He suggested " the appointment of a sound, clear-headed
man, either not belonging to the ministry, or so untinc-
tured with prejudices in favour of this or that form
of the Christian Protestant faith as to constitute him
an impartial Director-General of Public Schools in this
Colony." m

This memorandum was submitted for comment in 1838
to the eminent astronomer, Sir John Herschel, then

"Great Britain Education Department. Op. cit. p. 13
> Ibid p. 13.
m Ibid p. 20.
residing at the Gape. He suggested that a well organised
and well supervised system of schools should be instituted
and maintained, and that a single supreme, authority
should be appointed, who was to receive monthly reports
of the attendance, progress and conduct of each individual
pupil. This head was to be in direct communication
with the Government. These recommendations were
transmitted to Lord Glenelg, the Secretary for the
Colonies. On the receipt of the approval of the English
Government Dr. James Rose Innes, was appointed the
first Superintendent-General of Education of the Cape
Colony in 1839.
