Islands Education

Plane-Load of Samoan Students For New Zealand

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 28.

ON February 23, an Australian Sky master/ plane left Apia for New Zealand direct, carrying 26 scholarship pupils who had spent their Christmas holidays, on leave from New Zealand, in Samoa, and 10 new scholarship) pupils who were leaving for New Zealand, to enter NZ schools under the scholarship scheme of the New Zealand Government.

Nz’S Plan To Educate Islanders

From Auckland “Star” of February 26 “We like over here, and we are glad to be back,” said several members of a party of 37 young Samoans who left Auckland by train for the south last evening. They arrived at Whenuapai by Skymaster on Thursday night.

Most of them are returning to study at schools throughout the Dominion after their first holiday in Samoa for several years. For ten of the party it was their first trip to New Zealand.

The islanders, whose ages range from ten to 21, are studying here on Govern ment scholarships. Those who came to the Dominion when the scholarship scheme was started four years ago were due to revisit their homes at the end of 1947. but were prevented from doing so by the poliomyelitis epidemic.

Farewelling the party at the station was Mr. F. R. J. Davies, officer for Islands education. He said the Samoans made model pupils.

The scholarships, which are awarded by annual examinations, are also given to Niue and Cook Islanders. A party is expected to arrive from the Cook Islands on Monday night. In all, 71 islanders will be studying here this year.

All who are awarded scholarships must agree to return to the Islands! after completing their training. They will then be offered responsible posts, such as teachers, surveyors, accountants and nurses. The scheme is part of the Gov ernment’s policy of making the peoples of New Zealand’s island territories more self-reliant.