COOK ISLANDS SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 11

COOK ISLANDS SCHOOLS.

GRANT made BY cabinet.

THE NORTHERN GROUP.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY TEACHERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. > During the visit of the Minister in charge of the Cook Islands to the group last month, he conferred with the London Missionary Society in regard to education in the Northern Cook Islands, Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakaranga, Puka Puka, and Palmerston. As a result of a recommendation by Sir Maui Pomare, Cabinet has now approved of a grant being found by the Cook Islands Department for the pay ment of teachers and for educational facilities. This decision is of great interest, , as it provides the means of linking up the last of New Zealand's possessions in the Pacific, with the. Dominion educational system. The work that the London Missionary Society will carry on under the new scheme will be in preparation for the transference of the schools to the administration, thus repeating the history of education in the lower CoOk group. A more or less primitive system of education has been carried on in the Northern Cooks. . In consideration of the financial aid now granted by t v e New Zealand Government, the society will teach in accordance with a syllabus to be approved by the superintendent of education«. at Rarotonga, and will undertake to see that there is no departure from the conditions laid down as to attendance and holidays, except with the consent of the administration. They will also open the schools for insi 'iction by the superintendent. The curriculum will embrace the teaching of re £ ding and writing in English and Midori, as well as a knowledge of simple weights and measures, and money calculations. Whole time native teachers will be appointed to the schools at the islands of Penrhyn . (Omoka and Tetautua districts), Rakahanga, Mamhiki Tahunu and Tukao districts),'Puka * uka, and Palmerston.