HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954
schools. The shortage of primary schools makes it increasingly important that these should operate in two sessions but in the interests of efficiency, it is hoped that secondary schools will operate as whole-day schools.
There were 1,796 entries for the English School Certificate, an increase of 266 over last year and 1,309 entries for the Chinese School Certificate, an increase of 243.
The syndicates responsible for these two examinations are helping to maintain and improve the standards of secondary education in the Colony.
The continued popularity of music, drama and art was again evident in the Schools Music Festival and the Inter-School Dramatic Competition and also the paintings of children in Hong Kong schools which were exhibited at the International Children's Painting Exhibition in Indonesia. The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music has decided to grant a scholar- ship worth £200 p.a. and tenable for 3 years at the Royal College of Music in London to
London to a suitable candidate.
In schools in the urban areas interest in sport was as keen as ever and in the New Territories, largely as a result of the initiative of teachers recently trained for teaching in rural schools, an association has been formed to organize annual sports meetings. In order to produce an equitable allocation of playing fields in the urban areas, the Director of Education has been given authority for the allocation and administration of fifteen hockey, football and cricket pitches.
Increased interest in other extra-curricular activities was seen in the development of physical education in schools and training colleges, in the number of entries
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