Pulau School

Pulau School
Location
Adamstown
Coordinates	25°06′S130°10′W
Information
Type	Publicprimary school
Teaching staff	1
Age range	5-14
Language	English,Pitkern

ThePulau Schoolis the only school on thePitcairn Islands.It is located in the capital ofAdamstownand follows a modified version of theNew Zealand educational curriculum,but with some changes made to promote local culture and traditions. Education in the Pitcairns is free and compulsory between the ages of five and 15.Children up to the age of 12 are taught at the school, while children of 13 and over attend secondary school in New Zealand, or are educated via correspondence school.

The students are taught by a visiting instructor who typically teaches on the island for a term of one year. The teacher is appointed by the governor from suitable qualified applicants who are registered in New Zealand as teachers. The Pulau School has a residence for teachers built in 2004.

The teacher is also considered the principal and is responsible not only for teaching, but developing the curriculum and promoting continuing education among the rest of the island's population.

The island's children have produced a book inPitkernand English calledMi Bas Side orn PitcairnorMy Favourite Place on Pitcairn.

History

ThePulau Schooltraces its origin back to the simple curriculum taught by then magistrateSimon Youngand his wife beginning in 1864. After a period of management by theSeventh-Day Adventist Church,the British government assumed responsibility for the school in 1958.

In 2004, the school was remodeled and includes a modern classroom, computer lab and library,as well as a residence for the teacher; there was a previous residence built in 1950.

There were ten students in 1999; enrollment was previously 20 in the early 1950s,28 in 1959, and 36 in 1962.