EDUCATION
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at least 30% of their places for pupils who have qualified for Form I in that examination.
Subsidized schools are operated under a Subsidy Code, the object of which is to encourage the establishment of reliable committees of management and provide the means by which satisfactory primary education can be given to children in rural as well as urban areas; by its aid school managers can keep fees reasonably low and pay teachers the same salaries as are paid in government primary schools. There are now 357 subsidized schools, an increase of 11 over last year, brought about partly by the erection of new buildings and partly by the admission to the Subsidy Code of some existing private schools. The subsidized schools have benefited both by the employment of an increasing number of trained teachers and by greater opportunities for their pupils to receive a secondary education.
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The part played by private schools-primary, secondary, vocational and adult-is one which, though prominent, has always posed a number of problems, varying in intensity and kind, but particularly concentrated in the rapid develop- ment and changing aspects of the post-war period.
Considerable indirect Government assistance is given to private schools through special courses for improving the professional qualifications of teachers; more regular inspec- tion and advice from specialists; and permission for approved schools to participate in public examinations at both primary and secondary levels.
Private colleges are now playing a more important part in post-secondary education and show increased enrolment. One new college has been founded and one formed as a result of amalgamation. Two colleges have been assisted in acquiring new permanent accommodation. A Chinese Colleges Joint Council representing three post-secondary institutions has been set up to consider raising the standard of admission requirements, and of staff, premises and equip- ment. The growing importance of these institutions is