Of W. Samoa
p. 47 · Read in the full issue
A Teacher’s Tale Of W. Samoa
In 1948, when George Irwin, a New Zealander, went to West ern Samoa with his wife Judy to become principal of the Teachers Training College, Samoa's educational system — ac cording to him —was in a state of disorganisation and muddlement.
There was virtually no con tinuity of educational policy, school organisation, or teaching methods; and the Samoan children sat back to see what was going to happen every time a new teacher arrived.
When George Irwin arrived, the Acting Director of Education told him: “Don’t be in a hurry to start work. Just stand around and look for a while because, boy oh boy, it’ll be different from anything else you’ve come across.”
Irwin, it appears, took this advice—not only then, but from time to time during the whole seven years he spent in Samoa as principal of the Teachers Training College.
In doing so, he observed a good many interesting and amusing things about Samoa in general and Samoan school life in particular, which he has now recorded in a book called “Samoa” and sub-titled “A Teachers Tale”. It is a light,
bright, warm-hearted book.
RL.
(SAMOA. Cassell, 38/6).