A.-4

8

and the Church of Latter-day Saints, have for years past carried the work on, and to their efforts must be attributed the fact that few, if any, Samoans arc unable to read and write in the vernacular. The work, however, is conducted by separate entities, and is unco-ordinated and cannot reach as far as they themselves would wish. Our policy is to encourage and supplement their work, and to take it further, in the hope that a satisfactory national system of education may be built up. A subsidy is annually paid to the mission bodies, amounting last year to £500, and distributed among them according to the numbers taught. This report does not pretend to deal with, their activities, and it must be understood, that this is not due, to a lack of appreciation of their admirable and self-sacrificing work, but to the fact that the activities of the Education Department only are being considered. The Germans had established three schools in Apia, which were in operation in 1914, and as to them the Director of Education, reporting on the year ending 31st March, 1921, says as follows : — " The work in education was begun by the Military Administration at the beginning of the year 1915, only a few months after the occupation had taken place (August, 1914). By special arrangement with the New Zealand Government a Superintendent of Schools was appointed as from the Ist January, 1915, to take, charge of matters educational in the occupied territory. Steps were immediately taken to bring into operation the three Government schools that had been working under the German Administration. A. beginning was made early in 1915 with, the Laumua School, at Malifa, for Native boys and girls from the villages round about Apia, a special school opened and conducted by the German Administration under a special arrangement on their part with the chiefs of the Faleata and Vaimauga districts. The people of these districts built the school under the promise from the German Government that their children, or a certain number of them, should receive education free of cost. This school was reopened in March of that year, the Superintendent carrying on the work with the help of Natives, who at the same time received instruction in English and teaching methods. " Early in the following year the Ifi. Ifi School for white and half-caste children was set going again, with a staff of two teachers—a master and a mistress —acting under the Superintendent. " During the following year the third school that had been in existence during the German Administration was reopened with a fresh quota of boys. This was a school for Native boys chosen by examination from, the various districts of the two islands, Upolu and Savaii. " Thus within a comparatively short period all the three schools that had been at work during the German Government were again in full operation, with a staff consisting of the Superintendent, two white teachers, and three Natives, who had had little experience in teaching. Efforts were then concentrated on bringing these schools into as high a state of efficiency as possible, but at the same time endeavours were made to assist, as far as possible, the Native pastor teachers of the mission schools. The Superintendent paid visits when opportunity arose to districts outside Apia, inspecting the schools, holding classes in English for the Native pastor teachers, and giving practical instruction in teaching method. In this way two or three districts were visited. The work done was most enthusiastically received, and it was quite evident that work of this nature could, under the circumstances, be extended with great benefit. "Tn 1.918 came the disastrous influenza epidemic. The work of the schools was most materially interfered with. A section, of the boys attending the Malifa School for Native boys was living in the compound. They supplied themselves from the school plantations with the bulk of their food requirements, but owing to the epidemic the food plots were neglected and the plantations were practically ruined. A number of the boys died, but none who remained in the school compound. When the school reopened at the beginning of the New Year only a small number of the boys belonging to the school returned. Owing to the difficulties of food-supply, no special effort was made to bring back the boys who had failed to put in an appearance. In many cases, indeed, these boys, owing to the numerous deaths, were required at homo and could not be spared. Since that time tho school has been running with the diminished numbers ; but the other two schools have been in full operation, and have been brought into a higher state of efficiency. " It must be borne in mind, too, that this last year has been one of transition, Military Administration having during the year given place to a Civil. Administration. This transition stage, with certain contemplated changes, has had an important influence on the work during tho year. It was at first intended that the Superintendent originally appointed should continue in charge as Director, and he had made the necessary proposals for development, but a change was then contemplated ; the creation of a now position was decided on —one that embraced the direction of education in all the islands of the Pacific that come under New Zealand control. With the Parliamentary Party in March, 1920, came Mr. W. W. Bird, M.A., to report on the work of education in these islands, and. to suggest developments. However, the new proposals as to a Director of Island Education fell through, and it was decided well on in the year that the present Director should continue in charge. Among the proposals put forward was one for the holding of an education conference with the representatives of the various mission bodies. From force of circumstances it was found impossible to hold this conference until, the beginning of December. " The schools under direct Administration control remain three in number—(l) The Ifi Ifi School for white and half-caste children ; (2) the Malifa School for Samoan girls and boys from the villages round about Apia, known as the ' Laumua School ' ; (3) the Malifa School for Native boys chosen from, the various districts of Upolu and. Savaii (not at full roll number). " Ifi Ifi School. - Attendance : The roll number at the beginning of the year was 68. The numbers increased gradually throughout the year, and to such an extent that by the end of the year the total roll was 141, thus showing an increase of 107 per cent. Boys. Girls. Totals. " Number on roll at beginning of year .. .. ..41 27 68 Number on roll at end. of year .. .. .. ..70 71 141 Increase (107 per cent.) .. .. .. 29 44 73