A.—4a

30

' or three. These are known as the village or pastors' schools. In these schools there are usually six divisions or grades, but as a general rule the numbers in the upper divisions or grades (say, 5 and 6) are small. The subjects taught are reading (Samoan), writing, arithmetic, Scripture, English, and geography, and also in some schools, now, history. There are also the Marist Brothers' and Marist Sisters' Schools in Apia. In both schools boys and girls, as the case may be, of all classes are admitted —whites, half-castes, and Natives. The roll number of the Marist Brothers' School is 300, and of that number 140 are pure-blooded Natives. The roll number of the Marist Sisters' School is 170, and of that number about 50 are pure-blooded Native girls. All these mission schools are controlled exclusively by the several missions. According to returns sent in by the missions in a previous year, the numbers in attendance at all schools was close on 10,000, but this number included all being educated in village schools, district schools, high schools, and colleges. The number of students in schools of a higher grade than the village schools would be under 500, so that the large majority of those receiving instruction would be in the village schools. The Administration also has schools, and these schools are being gradually developed. In Apia, in addition to tho school for white and half-caste children (roll number 192), attended for the most part by half-caste children, there being only thirty-four white children in attendance, there is a school for Native boys and girls with a roll number of 121. The number in attendance could bo increased greatly if only the necessary accommodation and the necessary white teachers were available. As already stated in previous report, at the Educational Conference held in December, 1920, a provisional scheme was put forward for adoption. According to this scheme there are to be, in the meantime, schools of three grades : — Mission schools. 1. First-grade schools (village schools). 2. Second-grade schools (sub-district schools). Government schools. 3. Third-grade schools (district schools). Higher education is to be met by the granting of scholarships. The work in all these, schools will be, for some, years to come, mainly if not entirely elementary. In pursuance of this scheme, the New Zealand Government has set apart one of its properties known as the Vaipouli Estate,'in Savaii, for educational purposes, and the necessary steps have been taken for the establishment on the estate, of a district school for Savaii. The school will be opened on the 9th May. The number in attendance at first will be seventy. Preparations have been made also for the opening of a, district school in Upolu. The boys have been in large part chosen, and will enter the school, to be carried on in the meantime at Malifa in conjunction with the other Native school there, almost immediately. The number in attendance will be, as in the case of the Vaipouli School, seventy. Education in the case of practically all schools for Natives is free. A. charge is made at the Marist Brothers, also at the Marist Sisters. At the Morman schools no charge in money is made, but help in kind is expected. At the Government school for whites and half-castes a charge is made ; at the Government school for Natives no charge is made. 2. What, steps are being taken lo provide for higher education for the Natives, such as medical, veterinary, and technical ? Scholarships : Four boys have been sent to New Zealand to attend St. Stephen's School, Auckland, for st period of three years' general education. It is proposed to send four boys every year. Medical : The Medical Department has arranged for the training of a number of approved Samoan girls as nurses. The girls receive theoretic instruction, practical training, and at the end of three years' course are examined for certificates. Provision is to be made for taking several boys to be trained as medical assistants. Leulumoega High School : At Leulumoega High School the London Missionary Society have had for years a carpenter's shop, and training is given in carpentry and cabinetmaking. Training is also given in simple smithery, and instruction in practical agriculture. Number •in attendance, 100. Methodist High School and College, Lufi-Luli : Number in attendance, 120. Practical instruction in carpentry and cabinetmaking has been given in these and other Methodist district schools, and it is hoped to extend the work. Government Schools, Malifa : At the Government schools, Malifa, instruction in woodwork is given. 3. In what languages is instruction given in the different categories of schools ? In the Government schools in Apia, both, at the Ifi.-l.fi School and Malifa Schools, instruction is given entirely in English. Instruction in English is also given at the Marist Brothers' School, Apia. The Native girls at the Marist Sisters' School are instructed partly in English and partly in Samoan. In practically all other schools the instruction is given in the Native tongue —Samoan. 4. Are Mission schools compelled to submit lo certain conditions ? If so, what ? No conditions are imposed.