EDUCATION IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 11

EDUCATION IN FIJI.

DEMANDS OF THE INDIANS.

INQUIRY BY COMMISSION

[from our own correspondent.] SUVA, July 16,

Among the many serious racial problems which have to be faced in Fiji that of education is one of the most difficult. In order to come to some finality in the matter and in order to meet the continued demands of the Young Indian Party, the Governor has appointed a commission, which was formally opened on Monday by His Excellency in person. Addressing the commission, the Governor welcomed the members, who had come across the sea to assist him-, namely, Mr. F-. Tate, of Victoria, and Mr, Bakewell, of New Zealand. He then read a memorandum, in which he said he wished to stress the point as to the likely possible limited financial power of the Government to adopt and carry out except gradually, very radical changes in the present education system. He recognised the great responsibility of the people of the colony, and the urgency, if not necessity, of their making monetary sacrifices, if required to do so, to meet thei educational requirements of the children of the people. Provision had to be made for the training of the children of Indians and natives for clerical positions, to be-. come school teachers. They would also submit proposals to teach technical training to fit the young people to be farmers as well as trades, such as carpentry-, plumbing, boatbuilding, etc. He also emphasised the need of education in hygiene.

An important if not vital question, said the Governor, was what language or languages should be taught as the medium in all Government and assisted Indian and Fijian schools. This is regarded as very important. At present the missions, who have always adhered to teaching in the vernacular, are fighting the Government's policy of using English, in ail schools, except the very primary native schools, where it is generally recognised that Fijian must be used. Then he asked for an opinion as to the standard of salaries from Government grants. The need of a secondary school for Indians was referred to as very pressing. What the range of the education standard suggested or adopted will be is difficult to surmise, but it is declared that nothing short of radical reform will satisfy the Indian Eeform League. So far the education of the Indian or native girls has not received any attention except an isolated case or two, where the missions are making a move to bring the girls within the orbit of the educational cycle. The commission, after visiting all the schools in and around Suva, mission and otherwise, have left in H.M.C.S. Pioneer to visit the chief school in the Various islands. ,