EDUCATION IN SAMOA

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 8

EDUCATION IN SAMOA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, February 5. A good deal of attention is paid by the Samoan Administration to the education of the local white and Samoan children, and reports from the island show that as a result of the efforts of the staff of teachers selected bv the New Zealand Government considerable progress in the work continues to be made. Last year the public had an opportunity of seeing on exhibition at a number of agricultural shows the very fine work taught the children of the Samoan schools, and the opinions expressed by some of those who saw the exhibition were very praiseworthy. The penmanship of the scholars, with but few exceptions, was markedly good, and would appear to set an example in similar work done at some of the New Zealand schools. A New Zealander who visited Samoa a short time ago states that another leading attainment of the children there was in. mental arithmetic. The capacity of the children, he said, was wonderful. Whole columns of figures, given orally by the teachers, were mentally calculated with lightning speed and accuracy. A further feature at the schools is said to be in drawing from nature. At a dinner given in honour of the Hon. E. P. Lee, when, as Minister of Internal Affairs, he visited Samoa, the menu cards each contained a painting of beautiful Samoan flowering shrubs done bv the Sun n school children, most tastefully and ar Tally. The head master of the Samoan :■< " ols is Mr J. A. Rutherford, who received his early training in Otago. Mr Rutherford, who was formerly head master of the Highclitf School, near Dunedin, has rendered very valuable service in the cause of education in Samoa, and the Administration authorities have shown their appreciation of his work by recently giving him the appointment of superintendent of the Samoan schools, which is now the highest educational post in the territory. In his new position Mr Rutherford will have greater scope in carrying out his work, which should lead to a greater scholastic development of the schools.