Since the proper training of teachers along modern lines is of such paramount importance, it is particu- larly appropriate, in view of the essence of leadership involved, that our teachers training colleges are named after Governors of Hong Kong. The first one, built on the Island prior to the outbreak of war, was named after Sir Geoffrey Northcote, and the
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(Above) Another view of the proposed building. (Below) First Floor Plan.
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one now being planned will be named after our very popular present Gover- nor, Sir Alexander Grantham.
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The increase in population in the Colony since the war created unprecedented demand for education and brought with it the concomitant problems of the supply of buildings, equipment and trained teachers. These problems are common to all branches of education Primary, Secondary, University, Technical, Adult and it soon became apparent that not only would it be necessary to restore educational facilities to prewar capacities, but that immediate steps would have to be taken by Government to increase the number of educational institutions especially those required to accommodate child- ren of Primary School ages.
Although the influx of Chinese teachers, professors and lecturers has, to some extent. improved the quality of local teaching, there is still a serious deficiency in the number of qualified instructors available and,
as a result, the quality of education given is completely inadequate to meet the needs and conditions of the present time.
Government plans to build new Frimary Schools but the value of good buildings and equipment cannot be fully realised unless the teachers are fully trained in modern methods and are men and women whose apti- tudes suit them for Primary School Education.
The Hong Kong University has now established a course leading to a Diploma of Education for Univer- sity graduates who will be absorbed into the Secondary schools. The Northcote Training College and the Rural Training College with a .naximum annual output of 90 graduates provide teachers trained either for work in rural schools or for work in the Upper Primary and Lower Secondary classes.
The new Grantham Training Col- lege now will give a one year train- ing course exclusively designed for
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men and women who will become teachers in Chinese Urban Primary Schools. During the first years of its existence it is expected that the new College will train 100 teachers each year to staff the proposed new Government Primary Schools. Later the number will be increased to 200 graduates who will form a constant stream of replacements for teachers retiring from existing primary schools.
A very adequate description of the building itself can be culled from the photographs of the model of the building and from the plans which we reproduce on these pages. The building will be very conveniently located in the heart of Kowloon, be- / hind the Kowloon Magistracy, and is approached by an existing road from Gascoigne Road.
The site itself is hilly, rising about 90 feet from the lowest to the high- est point. At the southern end of the site is a fairly level portion on which the new building is to be erect-