Growth Of Education In

Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, April 11.

THERE has been a remarkable growth in education in Samoa since 1936 —present-day Samoans are defin itely educationally-minded. For the most part, the younger generation consider that undenominational schools, free to all, provide the best type of schooling at this stage of their development.

Native education has always been encouraged by the NZ Government, which has regarded it as part of its general policy in connection with the development of the Territory. This policy has been strongly backed up by the local Administration.

In 1936 there were 45 grade 2 schools staffed by 95 teachers, with 4,994 pupils.

So rapid has been the development that by the end of this year there will be 95 schools, 195 teachers, and 11,475 pupils.

To meet the demand for an increase in the number of teachers required, the Administration in 1939 erected a new Teachers’ Training College in the grounds of the centrally situated Malifa school at Apia. Fifty trainees are now there, under a European principal.

A secondary" school was opened in 1938 and now pupils can continue their edu cation through the primary school and the higher secondary school without having to go abroad, as many did previously.

Rev. A. P. Jennings, principal of St.

Aidan’s College, Divari, Papua, returned to the Territory recently after a visit to Australia. While in Melbourne. Mr. Jen nings supervised the printing of a Wedauan hymn-book, for the New Guinea Mission.