Education
VII
SOCIAL SERVICES
Government expenditure on education has risen from $9 million for the financial year 1947-48 to an estimated $25 million for 1952-53, a total which in- cludes a grant of $1,550,000 to the University.
Fees payable in government and grant-aided pri- mary schools were reduced in order that primary education might be less expensive to parents. At the same time, fees for some secondary classes were raised so that these classes should pay a higher proportion of the actual running costs. An increase in the number of free places in government and grant secondary schools, up to 30% of total enrolment, ensures that needy students shall not be penalized.
Schools and Colleges
Changes in the educational system of the Colony are reflected in the Education Ordinance, 1952. During the previous forty years all schools, unless specifically exempted, were required to do little more than register with the Director of Education, to be open to his inspection and to comply with regulations con- cerning staff, buildings, number of pupils, syllabuses, text books and health. A number of improvements based on experience are incorporated in the new ordin-
ance.
These include statutory recognition of the repre- sentative Board of Education which has existed since 1920, the specification of the particular grounds upon which registration of schools, teachers and managers may be refused or cancelled and the provision of an appeals board to deal with disputed decisions in such
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