EDUCATION
113
first nine months of 1958 the following new accommodation had been completed and pupils admitted:
Government Schools
Subsidized Schools
Private Schools
Total ...
No. of
No. of
Pupils
Schools
Classrooms admitted
6
126
11,340
11
160
14,400
8
96
8,640
25
382
34,380
Government schools are built and equipped entirely from Govern- ment funds. Subsidized schools are assisted by the free grant of a site, by a building subsidy, and by a subsidy for recurrent costs. They often receive interest-free loans as well. Selected private schools, operated on a non-profit-making basis, may receive a free grant of land and interest-free building loans. The schools men- tioned in the table above were all in new buildings and provided accommodation for an additional 34,380 pupils. In addition, exist- ing schools built seventy seven extra classrooms accommodating 6,930 pupils as part of their normal expansion.
The Government directly maintains forty four primary schools, ten secondary schools, two technical secondary schools, a technical college, and two teacher training colleges. The average age of pupils entering and leaving government primary schools is 6 and 13 respectively. For secondary schools the figures are 13 and 19.
Grant Schools (which are nearly all secondary schools) function under the terms of the Grant Code, under which the Government pays the difference between the approved expenditure of a school and its income from fees and other sources. This approved ex- penditure includes salaries, leave pay, incidentals, and passages for teachers who are so entitled. Alternatively, a block grant may be made. Grants may also be made up to 50% of the cost of new buildings, equipment, and major repairs. The usual medium of instruction in Grant Schools is English.
A joint examination is held annually for pupils from Primary 6 classes in government schools, government-aided schools and private schools to select pupils for secondary education in govern- ment and aided secondary schools.
Subsidized Schools (which are mostly primary schools) are operated under a Subsidy Code. By its aid selected schools can