MELANESIAN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31206, 2 November 1966, Page 14

MELANESIAN SCHOOLS

Staff Recruited In Islands The ex-tension of schools staffed entirely by Melanesians was the most important and encouraging change he had noted in the Hebrides and Solomons, said the Rev. J. D. Froud. vicar of Addington, who has returned from a six-week visit to Melanesia a six-week visit to Melanesia. Mr Froud is the chairman of the Christchurch Melanesian Committee. Melanesian schools were staffed by people who had received some training at Government training colleges. The extension of this type ef junior primary school was an attempt to catch up with' those who had not received any education. There had been a 20 per cent increase in the number of people receiving education since his last visit four years ago.

Melanesia needed locally trained doctors, accountants and lawyers more than other professionals, Mr Froud said. Although there was an English Chief Justice, there were no defence lawyers. Accountants were needed by various offices, now served by Europeans, who went to Melanesia for a five-year term. Doctors were required to supplement the present staff of Europeans and Melanesian assistant medical officers.

During his visit to the Pacific, Mr Froud was made an honorary chief of two villages, an honorary’ staff nurse, and an honorary old boy of a school.

Melanesia would face a trying time during the next 10 years, with outside pressure to gain its independence, Mr Froud said. During that time the Melanesian Mission would require more money and people to help others in trades and professions.