ISLAND SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18194, 3 October 1924, Page 2

ISLAND SCHOOLS.

INSPECTOR'S VISIT TO FIJI AND SAMOA. (?SXSS ASSOCIATION TELI3IAH.} AUCKLAND. October 2. The state of primary school educat.cn in Fiji and S-.unca v.t.s discussed by Mr T. B. Strong. Chief Inspector of Primary Schools in New. Zealand, who returned by the Tofua. Mr Strong went rcoentJy to inspect the schools and further organise education m Fiji and Samoa. Under an arrangement with the Fijian Administration. New Zealand undertook to place the European schools in Suva and Levuka on a satisfactory footing by reorganising the systein of education" and supplying an efficient, staff cf teachers. This Ikis now been done, and the schools are running very smoothly. The New Zealand teachers in Suva Mr Strong says, form a very happy band, and are lieing hospitably treated Loth in official and social circles. The Methodist Mission College, pome miles out of Suva, is a wonderful institution, providing not only a training for native ami Indian pastors and teachers, but also an excellent industrial training for Fijians, Recently the college extended its surtivities by taking over from the Government an experimental farm on which the Mission intends to train promising P s flan youths. .... After attending the Australasian conference of school inspectors at Brisbane, Mr Strong went to Western Samoa. He says that General Richardson. the Administrator, is taking the keenest interest in education and in the general uplift of the moans. He has already won their confidence, and they sire willingly seconding his efforts to improve their village" and main lines of communication. The success of the Government medical staff in gradually ridding the natives of hookworm has undoubtedly done as much as anything to earn tlie gratitude and respect-of the Samoans. Everywhere he went Mr Strong found the natives most anxious to peeure improvements in their Fehools.' This laudable desire #-as undoubtedly due to the seal of the Missions in establishing schools in' all the islands, the Government ccooperating with th'eni in providing training schools for native teachers and higher primary si rid industrial training for native pupils Mr Strong will report, to the Department of Education on both European and native schools in the islands, and will put forward proposals to effect' further improvements.