Where Teacher’s Lot is a Happy One

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 1

Where Teacher’s Lot is a Happy One

NIUE ISLAND SCHOOLS “WHITE CHIEFS” CLASSES The lot of a school teacher, one is often told, like Gilbert’s policeman, is not a happy one. What, then, must it be for the sole European teacher in charge of a native school on that far-flung strand of the Tongan group—Niue ’-’-rid? But, according to Mr. A. McKenzie —who. together with Mrs. McKenzie, is at present in Auckland on fur lough from Niue Island—the teache -’tlot there is quite a happy one. In the early stages of their school life the pupils are taught in tho vernacular, and are instructed to read and write in their own language. As they progressed in their studies they gradually graduated up into '.asses personally controlled by Mr. M--Kenzie where their tuition was con-

ducted in English. This is considered by the pupils to be a great achievement, and without exception the principal ambition is to get into the ‘‘white chief’s class.’ The children are delightfully natural, and, according to their teacher, are very apt pupils. The Niue Islanders have long forestalled Mr. Sidey with a daylight-saving scheme of their own. School there commences at seven o'clock, and continues v. th only a short play break until no in, when work ceases for the day.

Some of the pupils have to walk seven miles to school. Barefooted, and quite contented with a piece of sugar-cane and a coconut slung over their backs for their daily rations, they trudge merrily along, the majority arriving as early as six o’clock. In the school syllabus the agriculture of the island is made the r--bjcct of specialised study, so that aft ;r leaving school the children may find useful occupations in the principal industries of the island, such as banana-raising, copra production, and basket work.

The Niue Islander has the reputation of being a good worker, and m ny of them are desirous of getting to New Zealand to seek employment.. Living conditions on the island aie quite pleasant, stated Mr. McKenzie. The average temperature was about. 76 degrees, and although at first one was inclined to miss the society of other Europeans, it was not difficult to create amusement and diversion. Four months’ furlough was granted every three years, a period which Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie are taking full advantage of before returning to their island home.