MAORIS AND EDUCATION.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1244, 18 May 1922, Page 6

MAORIS AND EDUCATION.

INFLUENCE OF RATANA

HAWERA, Monday

The education of the Maori scholars under the jurisdiction of tb.3 Taranaki Education Board is reviving special attention, particularly in view of the fact that the number in lower classes is altogether out of proportion to those in the higher standards. for instance, out of all tho boys und girls attending the primary schools in the education district there are only five in Standard VI. Mr P. J. White, chairman of the Education Board, who takes particularly keen interest in Maori affairs, expressed the opinion that it was very gratifying to know that the Maoris had recently showed considerable improvement in matters of hygiene and health, due particularly, he believed, to the influence of Ratana. This remark applied particularly to parts of Taranaki. He thought efforts should be made to further the interest of the Natives in the educational opportunities that now offered. It had been said that of all the Polynesians the Maori was the only one who had suct cessfully maintained his position, whilst living among white people. Very soon there would be a complete fusion of the two races. With influences at work therefore it itas felt that it was only necessary to call attention to the desirability of native children attending higher classes. Where Maori children did proceed to these classes l it was found that they were fully capable of imbibing the education imparted. At one school Mr White had recently visited a Maori lad was an outstanding scholar. The Education Board had now decided to circularise all Maoris, pointing out the educational advantages to be gained, with a view to improving the general educational status 1 of the Maori.