"Dilger to Basel. Report on the Boy's Boarding School in 1881-1882"

Mainly an administrative discussion. He had been told during the year that the Abetifi School had at its disposal a large capital - over £20. In fact he had found it in debt to the tune of £13. The explanation seems to have been that excessive quantities of school materials etc. had been bought, paper, e.g. which the boys do not need since they use exercise books, and a large quantity of steel pen holders (which had rusted), also carpets. Also the clothes being sent out for the boys are not suitable, and clothes are a very important aspect of the 'bringing-up' which the mission is attempting. His policy has been to make learning something which the boys would value, and through them the people would value it also. To this end he has taken over more teaching than he should, and Dako and Koranteng are sent out more on preaching trips. As a result the numbers of scholars rose from 12 to 18 by the end of the year, and to 29 by the date of this report. The increase must have been mostly in younger boys, since he says that next Christmas they will need only 5 larger suits.

11.04.1882

11.04.1882

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