A.—4,

General. The majority of teachers in mission schools are Samoan, but a number of Europeans belonging to the various missions are also engaged in the work, especially in resident schools. The school age varies from three to four years (ill pastors schools) to thirty years (in colleges). Grade II Schools. It has been the happy co-operation between the Administration and the Missions that has made it possible for these schools to be established in the chief villages. The school buildings (native fales) are supplied by the respective missions, while the teachers are paid, trained, and supplied by the Administration. During the last year, however, the Methodist Mission has successfully undertaken the training of its own teachers, who come to Malifa for further training before going out to their schools. All teachers are Samoan, and instruction is given in that language, only a limited amount of English being taught. All these schools are under the direction and close supervision of the Superintendent of Schools, helped by Native Inspectors. At the conclusion of each school-year, these teachers are brought to Apia for a refresher course. There are now 64 of these schools, having total roll numbers at 31st March, 1937, of 6,300. The Samoan teaching staff numbers 113, of whom 55 have passed the New Zealand Proficiency Examination. Administration Schools. Avele (Resident) .—This school is ably managed by a Samoan staff supervised by the European Superintendent. The Standard "VI proficiency standard is aimed at, and many pupils subsequently find employment in the Government Departments. Malifa and Vaipouli (Resident).—Here the boys.are educated to Standard IY and then proceed to Avele for further training. These schools are also managed by Native teachers supervised by the European Superintendent. As is also the case with Avele, agriculture is an important subject, and. the three resident schools are self-supporting as far as food-supplies are concerned. Training-school. —This is a day school for both sexes, and is functioning well under a Native staff. Ifi Ifi School (European).—Children are educated to the Standard VI proficiency standard, and good work is being done. The roll number is on the increase, and many children await admission. As from the beginning of 1937, payment of school fees at this school was abolished, the principle of free education at Government European Schools being established. Particulars of average attendance and teaching staffs are given in the following table

The following results were obtained in the New Zealand Proficiency Examination in December, 1936 :—

The policy of the Administration is to encourage the Samoans to participate in their own government, and in no direction has this policy been more successful than in education and in medicine • During the school year 1936 visits were paid by an Organizing Mistress arid the Chief Inspector of Native Schools from. New Zealand. Much valuable work was done. The Parliamentary Goodwill Mission also visited the schools, and the members of the party were favourably impressed. . The Superintendent of Schools, after a term of eighteen years m the service of the Administration, retired on superannuation at the end of 1936, and a new Superintendent, who was until recently Education Officer in the Cook Islands, has now reached the Territory and assumed his duties.

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Ifl Ifi ! Malifa Training y aip ouli Avele TntJll , Date - j (Boys and Girls). j and GMs)!' (Boys only) ' (Boys only) " 31st March, 1936 .. . • 268 861 89 86 1,304 30th June, 1936 .. .. 259 885 100 86 1,330 30tli September, 1936 .. 265 892 100 82 , ??? 31st December, 1936.. .. 285 608 103 96 1,092 31st March, 1937 .. .. 286 638 106 75 1,105 Teachers —European.. • • 10 • ■ • ■ • • 10 Samoan .... .. 22 5 4 31 (including 10 trainees)

! , , j -p. n c • Certificates of School. | Candidates presented. Pass Irohciency. Competency. Ifilfi 16 •„ Marist Brothers' 16 * Marist Sisters' ...... 3 I Avele 19 6 3