P
number of scholars in the Private Schools has increased in 4 years from 45
per
cent. to 56 per cent. of the whole. The decrease in the number of Grant Schools is also very marked, while the average number of children in each has increased from 27.5 in 1897 to 33.8 in 1901. The visible explanation of these facts is the rise in prices and rents during the last few years, leading to the disappearance of the less profitable schools and to overcrowding in the rest. As a large number of the Grant Schools are Adventure Schools, the master and not the Mission standing to gain or lose by the Grant, and as the Grant does not increase while prices and rent do, it is plain that the masters of these schools suffer more from such causes than do those of the Private Schools, where if expenses increase fees are increased proportionately. This remedy has not commended itself to the Managers of the Grant Schools where no fees are charged.
SUMMARY.
12. It is not easy to obtain a correct statement of the number of children receiving education in the Colony. The total enrolment certainly exaggerates the number. The average attendance underestimates it, but is on the whole the safer guide. The latest figures are as follows:-----
NUMBER OF SCHOLARS IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE COLONY.
(RECKONED BY THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE.)
Government Schools :-
Queen's College,
Belilios Girl School,
4 Anglo-Chinese District Schools,
7 Vernacular District Schools,
...
English Anglo-Chinese Vernacular Schools. Schools. Schools,
Total.
894
110
287
266
110
1,181
266
1,557
Total Government Schools,
Grant Schools :—
13 English Grant Schools,.........
836
8 Anglo-Chinese Grant Schools, 57 Vernacular Grant Schools,
435
1,926
Total Grant Schools,
836
435
1,926
3,197
Private Schools :-
-
English Private Schools,
12 Anglo-Chinese Private Schools,
95 Vernacular Private Schools,
526
2,457
Total Private Schools,
526
2:457
2,983
GRAND TOTAL,
....
946
2,142
4.649
7,737
PART II,
THE CLASSES OF CHILDREN REQUIRING EDUCATION.
13. In the Second Part of the Report the different classes and races of children in the Colony are reviewed, and an endeavour is made to decide how far the Government is responsible for providing them with education. Consideration is next given to the questions, how far and in what respects the education already provided for each class falls short of the provision to which it is morally entitled, or which it is expedient that it should receive.
These opinions have for convenience sake been cast into the form of Resolu- tions, which are accompanied, where necessary by explanatory notes.
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