A—4

On the level above is the fa'amasani, or preparatory school, where English is taught as a subject and instruction proceeds in both English and the vernacular. The curriculum here is broader than that of the pastors' schools and provides a higher level of elementary education. From these schools the best pupils are selected to attend a more advanced type of school preliminary to entering the training schools for pastors. They provide much the same general curriculum and standard of achievement as that of the parallel Administration schools and are usually under the charge of qualified missionary personnel. At the highest level are the training schools for pastors. Candidates are chosen from the best pupils of the preceding school and the period of training varies from four to six years. In addition to these schools, the Roman Catholic Mission maintains in Apia a school where children may enter, irrespective of status. It corresponds in the mission system roughly to Leifiifi in the Administration system. The curriculum is a broad general one corresponding, like Leifiifi, to that of the New Zealand primary schools. Fees. —The matter of fees for tuition and board varies with the different missions. In some cases fees are not charged. Education Department The Education Department is under the control of a Superintendent of Schools, who is responsible to the High Commissioner for the efficiency of the Department. Co-operation is maintained with the mission educational authorities, and for the year ended 31st March, 1948, joint committees were at work 011 the preparation of schemes of work in the subjects of the curriculum. The object of this was to achieve more uniformity in the aims and standards of the various educational authorities, since there is no legislation governing maximum or minimum standards. When the books with the material for these schemes are printed, the missions will be issued with them on the same basis as the free issue of the Samoan School Journal printed in New Zealand by the New Zealand Government. A liaison is maintained with educational authorities in New Zealand per medium, -of the Officer for Islands Education, Wellington. Personnel of Education Department:— Superintendent of Schools .. .. .. .. .. 1 Assistant Superintendent of Schools .. .. .. 1 Organizing Infant-mistress .. .. .. .. 1 Office staff .. .. .. .. .. 6 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 3 Teaching Staff: — Seconded New Zealand teachers .. .. .. .. 13 Certificated European teachers engaged locally .. .. 2 Uncertificated local European Teachers ... .. .. 22 Samoan Inspectors ~ .. .. .. 8 Samoan teachers .. .. .. .. .. .. 249 Trainees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 44 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..350 Finance. —An expenditure of £41,300 was authorized for education for the year 194.7-48. This covered the cost of salaries, office expenses, school furniture and equipment, plantation maintenance, transport, and overseas students' expenses. It does not include the maintenance of school buildings, on which £944 was spent, or the

44