W. Samoa And
pp. 27-28 · Read in the full issue
Self-Government
Plan For the Education of Youth
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia, Oct. 10.
reported previously, a number of 'Samoan boys and girls have been sent to New Zealand. They have been granted scholarships by the New Zealand Government in order to con tinue their education at secondary schools, and to be given further profes sional training in New Zealand technical schools and colleges.
Of late, the Samoans have become very much interested in these scholarships and, in order to discuss further aspects of the scholarship scheme, the Adminis tration and the Education Department have recently called a meeting of the Scholarship Comittee, formed by the Samoans, and consisting of 17 members.
This meeting took place at Mulinu’u on September 5 and, during the three hours’ discussion, all matters of interest were thoroughly debated. The members of the Committee evinced keen interest in the proceedings.
The Committee stated, inter alia, that it represented a new Samoa and one that was at present being ruled by young men with modern ideas. The thoughts and opinions held by the older generation had largely died with the old men. The eyes of the present generation were open, especially in regard to political and edu cational matters, and the young men had begun to think and act for themselves, instead of allowing others to think for them, and then tell them what to do.
The Committee referred to the Atlantic Charter and the San Francisco Con ference, and stated that they realised that only through education could they obtain their ultimate goal—self-Govern ment. Until this end was attained, the Samoan people in the meantime desired to have a greater share in the present* administration of their country than they now enjoyed. mHE Samoans do not want the. scholar- X ship pupils to return from New Zea land half-eductaed. If, after having completed their education, they were not appointed to relatively responsible posi tions, because their education was not of a sufficiently high standard, then the Samoan people would lose faith in the scholarship scheme and in the guidance of the white man. They would then regard the experiment as a waste of time and money.
It was the intention of the Committee to keep a watchful eye on the candidates at present in New Zealand, and to sug gest that the duller ones be allowed to attend a technical school, to learn trades, while the brighter ones should be sent on to the universities where they could complete professional courses. This can not be done in Samoa; and if this policy is not carried out in New Zealand, the Samoans feel that they are in the same relative position as in the past. npOFIE Committee was also emphatic on X the point that the students, after having completed their courses, must return to Samoa to give service to the Samoan people. If there was no bind ing clause to that effect, the scholarship scheme would be considered a failure.
TTie students must not think in terms of money which they might earn if they ew ‘^ ea^an d—they were to think in terms of service to their people, rJl 0 ore the ex P ens e of their education abroad.
The opinion was also expressed that scholarships should be awarded in a democratic way, and not be given to children of high chiefs and chiefs, on account of their aristocratic descent.
Eliminating examinations should be held in all denominational and Government schools. The fairest method of selection was by competitive examinations.
No one should be allowed to enter for these examinations unless of three quarters or more of Samoan blood. The age should be from 9 to 20 years—junior scholarships 9 to 12, and senior scholar ships from 14 to 20 years.
The examinations should be formulated by the Superintendent of Schools, in con sultation with the heads of the London Missionary Society, the Methodist Mis sion and the Marist Brothers’ School. Out of the 40 candidates with the highest scores, a final selection of 20 should be made, who should go to New Zealand for further education.