EDUCATION IN SAMOA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18185, 23 September 1924, Page 10

EDUCATION IN SAMOA.

NOT AIM TOO HIGH." V .Th.a\:popfliarity of higher education .amongst miny native boys and girls at Samoa has caused many requests to be madefy, the toatives-ior the estab-..'.lisjirhent-of Government schools in ''.various of Samoa, states the an 7 iiual "report of the Administrator. ''.These, requests,", states the* report, '• c refe-'^ade ; without; regard, to. cost, '.*'s&&?'moftr important still, without re.vfi present' and future occur national needs and opportunities in -"these undeveloped lands. Outside of •v -Apia-j with the exception of the" pastors and native officials, the natives are '-.ftbi'ged to wonc on their, plantations ilk*;, produce food ifor their families, and produce- copra'for the acquiring of 5 money with which to furnish their individual and communal needs. It was •necessary, therefore, to define clearly, our policy in regard to the education of the natives. There was a tendency in the r past to •- set up an expensive > s-.vste.ni which would over-educate, dis- ; i'irb'their social conditions, and cause unrest. .]/.' - "The present low rate of natural nrof.; the Samoan race, together .with their communistic mode of life and - the' collective ownership of land, very largo areas of which are still undeveloped, will keep the Samoans in a backward condition for many years to come, and it would he unwise to force the pace too quickly. The-education policy of Samoa, therefore, should not -aim top high. It should not educate the Samoan children too much in advance of. their surroundings and social conditions, but should have for its object the making of good citizens, inspired with a love for their country and a determination to work for its advancement."' It was decided at a conference on education that it would be in the interests of the Samoans themselves if the teaching of English were curtailed at present.' Europeanising the natives . was:.unanimously condemned. It was eon'sidered.that by concentrating" in the main'on.instruction in the vernacular a betFer'influence would prevail. Tt is not intended to give less knowledge to the Samoans, but 'a more comprehen,:>jve syllabus in their, own language •-'•Will .W attempted.