Education In American
p. 64 · Read in the full issue
Samoa
From a Special Correspondent
Honolulu, Apr. 8.
THE opinion that the natives of East ern Samoa were making definite progress in conserving their culture by co-ordinating it with an American edu cational programme was expressed by Commander T. Kirkpatrick, administra tor of education in American Samoa, on his arrival at Hawaii from Pago Pago recently.
Commander Kirkpatrick has just ended a two-year’s period as director of educa tion. He will be succeeded by Captain G. H. Markle.
The Samoans are to-day almost 100 per cent literate, Commander Kirkpatrick said, and they are taking a great interest in education. Some 2,200 natives between the ages of six and 15 were attending 22 schools, three of which carried instruc tion through to the ninth grade. He praised the progressive attitude of the young Samoans, who were loyal to their cultural heritage, but keen to absorb the elements of American civilisation.
The Frederick Duclos Barstow foun dation school, established in 1934 to train capable natives for educational leadership, was a fine influence for the good, he added.