MAORI KINDERGARTENS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2046, 5 April 1907, Page 2

MAORI KINDERGARTENS.

EXPERIMENT AT AAVAPUNI. At the last conference of the Te Ante Old Boys’ Association at Rotorua a paper dealing with the question of providing Maori children ivitli kindergartens was read, and a resolution aaiis passed in fai'or or making an attempt to start such schools. As a result a kindergarten school ivas started at Awnpuni. This school has boon in operation for about nine months hut the fact that there is such a school at the pa is not generally knoivn. Miss Strouts has charge of the school. It lias taken on very ivell and at present there- are about thirty pupils attending daily. All the elder natives of the pa take the keenest interest in the school and help it in every Avay possible. AAvapuni avus chosen as this-year’s location for .the conference of the Association to enable members to see. the operation of the school. The starting of the school AA'as made possible by tile generosity of the late Archdeacon Williams, who provided funds for the payment of the teacher. Tavo Maori girls assist, Miss Strouts in the teaching, and are being taught in all branches of kindergarten teaching by the principal. Yesterday morning the school ivns in operation, and created much interest among the visitors to the pa. The children -themselves seem to appreciate the teaching given, and carried out the lessons gone, through yesterday in first-class fashion.