on the teaching of huglish in the Government Schools.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, Your Most Obedient
Humble Lent,
Breffen
223
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION, HONGKONG.
At a conference held at the Council Chamber on the 25th February, 1878, to consider the question
of the teaching of English in the Government Schools, the following gentlemen were present by invitation of His Excellency the Governor, who presided:-
The Honourable the Colonel Commanding the Troops, (Colonel BASSANO, C.B.)
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.)
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honourable HENRY Lowcock.
The Honourable J. MCNEILE PRICE.
The Honourable FRANCIS BULKELEY JOHNSON.
FREDERICK STEWART, Esquire, Head Master of the Central School,
The Reverend E. J. ErreL, Ph. D.
The following resolutions were arrived at:--
1. That the primary object to be borne in view by the Government should be the teaching of English. 2. That to enable the Central School to give more time to English and less time to Chinese studies, without materially diminishing the amount of Chinese knowledge on the part of the scholars on leaving the School, the preliminary requirements in Chinese knowledge be raised in the case of all such candidates for admission as do not already speak English fairly well to the requirements of Standard IV. of Class I. of the Grant-in-Aid Schedule, (with the exception of Geography).
3. That five hours be given every day (except Saturday) to English, and 24 hours to Chinese studies, but with the understanding that all English lessons will be obligatory, and all Chinese lessons optional, according to declaration on the part of the parents.
The above resolutions were arrived at without a division, with the exception of that portion of the latter which makes the study of Chinese optional on the declaration of the parents. On that point, the voting was as follows:-~
For making Chinese optional.
The Honourable the Colonel Commanding
the Troops.
Honourable the Colonial Secretary.
Honourable J. M. PRICE.
ourable F. B. JOHNSON.
The Berend E. J. EITEL.
For making Chinese compulsory.
The Honourable P. RYRIE.
The Honourable II. LowcOCK. Mr. STEWART.
4. T increased accommodation, more English speaking Masters, and smaller classes are essential
to the prop. Teaching of English at the Central School.
5. TI
a preliminary step, the staff of English Masters be doubled forthwith.
6. That with regard to the other Government Schools entirely supported by Government, arrangements be made, as soon as possible, to teach the boys English in all of them.
J. POPE HENNESSY,
Read and confirmed this 5th day of March, 1878.
H. E. WODEHOUSE,
Clerk of Councils.
Governor.