SCHOOLS IN SAMOA

Southland Times, Issue 22013, 12 May 1933, Page 12

SCHOOLS IN SAMOA

VISIT BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL. MOST FAVOURABLE IMPRESSIONS. (By the United Press Association’s Special Representative.) Apia (Samoa), April 22. Shortly after landing at Apia the Governor-General announced that he was looking forward to visiting as many schools as conveniently possible, and noting the development of the native intelligence of the young people and their assimilation as far as possible of the better and more useful part of modern education. He had already heard that in many of the schools the children were taught' to use their hands as well as their heads, in order to fit them well for the work of primary production, to which most of them would turn in after life. His Excellency carried out his intention, and spent some considerable time at the leading schools. The tour of the State schools was conducted by Mr D. Rutherford, Director of the Department of Education in Samoa, whose organization worked perfectly. The weather was excellent at this time, the result being that the distinguished visitors saw the schools under most favourable conditions. It is evident that the school spirit is being fostered in Samoa, and that the training received is well adapted to the needs and capacity of the Samoan pupils. In the native schools the costume of the boys is the lava lava, the upper part of the body being left bare. This was particularly commended by his Excellency, who is firmly of opinion that nothing should be done to impose European clothing on the natives, so long as ordinary decency and natural modesty are preserved. Each school has its distinguishing colours on the lava lavas, and it is most interesting to note the spectacular effect when the pupils are massed. School for European Children. The first school visited was Ifi Ifi situated a short distance from Apia. It is reserved for European children, whicn includes children of mixed Samoan, and European descent. When the visitors arrived the school drum and fife band played the National Anthem, the school children standing to attention. His Excellency planted a teak tree in the school ground, and he remarked in the course of his address that teak was the material of which the decks of the biggest ships were made, because it was known to be tough, durable, and permanent. He wanted to see the young people of Samoa tough in body, and still more strong in character, able and willing to resist temptation when it came along. The Malifa School for native pupils adjoins the Ifi Ifi School. The massed pupils sang the National Anthem as the Vice-Regal narty approached, and probably the visitors had never heard it so impressively sung before. There was no hurry or haste, and the historic air was invested with a peculiar dignity and grandeur. The visitors were then welcomed in a most gi aceful speech by the headmaster, Taua a, a native Samoan, who enjoys the esteem and respect of the entire community. Several musical numbers were given. In the course of his address to the pupils his Excellency said that they had been given an opportunity at the school of developing their natural love for the gift of music. They had been singing with harmony and melody, making concord of sw’eet sounds and showing that they understood the technique or science of making music. He advised the boys and girls to. learn to do something well with their hands, and always seek in their future lives to justify the instruction and education received at school. Training in Agriculture. A delightful afternoon was spent at the Avele School, which specializes in the training of Samoan youth in agriculture and in experimenting with new food products and improved methods. The visit was made. the occasion of a garden party, which was attended by the leading officials and citizens of Apia, including the Administrator (General Hart) and Mrs Hart. After the formal reception,. the boys proceeded to entertain their guests with exhibitions of games, including Samoan cricket, in which there are about one hundred fieldsmen. No batsman can last long with such a field, as his Excellency and Commodore Burges Watson discovered when they tried their ’prentice hands with the bat or club. A choir of boys sang some old English melodies, revealing a surprising aptitude in imparting light and shade to their interpretations. Their expression generally was excellent, with just the right touch of emotionalism. The visit to this school furnished a revelation as to what is being attempted and accomplished in the training of Samoan youths. The Marist Brothers’ School is situated in the town, and is presided over by Brother Bernadine, a New Zealand member of the teaching Order. The school is a very fine one, and its headmaster is held in the highest esteem by the whole community. He has given an extraordinary impetus to. the cultivation of school traditions in Samoa, an<f also to the growth and direction of the sporting instincts of the Samoan youth. The result is that the boys feel that they must not let their schools down, and that they must “play the game” both on and off the field. His Excellency, was given a fine reception at the Marist School by the teachers and staff, and in the course of his address he cordially commended the great work fez Samoan youth which was being done by the teachers and the school. Beautiful Surroundings. In the course of a driv'e to Western Upolu, their Excellencies called at the Wesleyan Girls’ School at Faleula, and the L.M.S. (London Missionary Society’s) School at Malua. These are important institutions in the educational life of the Islands. They are situated some distance from Apia, amid beautiful and well-kept surroundings. At each of these schools, the visitors were given loyal and hospitable receptions, and his Excellency, in his addresses, struck patriotic and practical notes. The visits to the schools were made under fine weather conditions, and in every case their Excellencies were most cordially received. The impression made on the visitors was that a. great work was being faithfully done in the interests of the youth and future of Samoa.