The Editors' Mailbag
p. 20 · Read in the full issue
Something for the Newly Literate
As the education systems of nearly a score of South Pacific Territories bring increasing literacy to the young people of the native communities, there is an increasing demand for “something to read.”
The standard of literacy is not high: but, if the effort is to be worth while, that demand must be met.
The overall need, of course, is for the printed word in English. Many native children are becoming literate in their own languages, or in French; and this smaller demand must also be catered for. But the big job is the provision of material in very simple English.
The South Pacific Commission is working on this. In a recent mail, there arrived four examples of what is being done — The Story of Rice growing, by W. Cottrell-Dormer (a book of instruction and information, in very simple language, and pro fusely illustrated); Solomon Islands Stories; Heroes From Fiji, by R. S.
Adam; and Plays For Young Pupils, by Camilla Wedgwood.
It is not necessary to emphasise the value and importance of this new department of the SPC’s activ ities. Supplies of these booklets can be purchased from the South Pacific Commission, PO Box 5254, Sydney, (or Anse Vata, Noumea), at* a very low price.