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TABLE L
32
Was it necessary to adopt Secular Education in Government Schools ?
Year. 1857.-The pupils learned portions of the New Testament in Chinese, the meaning was explained to thers,
and passages were committed to memory 1864.-Iu the Village Schools it is objected that the Sacred Scriptures are read, but that this objection is more ostensive than real, may be gathered from the fact that in a School supported by one of the Missions, where the Bible aust be read, there is a regular attendance of 40 childreu, while there are only ten at the Government School in the neighbourhood 1865.-Mr. Stewart takes away the reading of the Bible in Chinese. The Masters are not qualified for it. 1867.-Mr. Steward complains of the behaviour of the pupils of Central School, and of the criticism passed on the Central School. He endeavours to answer the objection put against the Government School by Dr. Alford, Bishop of Victoria. "The reason why secular education has been adopted " He has been was the great repugnance which Chinese mind has to religious instruction......... told by the Chinese that they would not accept of even free education, of which Christianity formed a part. I admit, be continues, that this is only half the truth, else why do not numbers increase now when it is most distinctly understood that the reading of the Bible is not enforced? 1869.-Sir Richard MacDonnell eulogizes the Roman Catholic Schools.
1871.-Major General Whitfield, Lient. Governor, does the same. .........
Mr. Stewart's Report. It is surprising to find in certain quarters grave doubts as to the position which the Central School holds with regard to religion. It seems to be the fate of secular education to be distorted and misrepresented. It will not be so always. Ten years will see the superstition exploded... 1873.-Mr. Stewart's Report. Dissatisfaction has been expressed by some at what they call "the godless character" of the Central School. The system adopted is simply an endeavour to meet as far as cau possibly he done every denomination, Christian and Fagan. (In the preceding year Sir Arthur Kennedy said that the Catholic Schools were supplying the requirements of the Roman Catholics in Hongkong, seo Tabio III)
1875.-Sir Arthur Kennedy at the Coutral School touches on the absence of Religion from the School and
supports it.
The Editor of the China Afail suggests that the Government Schools should be made Protestant
"It is a much 1878.-Sir Arthur Kennedy at the Central School speaks again on secular education.
Page.
3
10
13
16
22
24
28
34
35
36
discussed question ......... it is a debateable point.'
12
A Correspondent in the Hongkong Times asks why is there so much noise made about the Central School, year after year. Do its Patrons fally believe in its utility and principles; if they do such a habbab might be dispensed with......
43
Total number of children from 6 to 16 years of age in the Colony, 16,640; Children going to school, 4,610; Children going to Government schools, 2,171; Children going to denominational schools, Christian or Confucian, 2,469; Enolucated children, 12,000.......
41
Report on the Catholic Schools for 1876. If our denominational Schools were put in a position to hold ont equal educational advantages to the pupils as do the Government School, the fact that So at least Mr. we give a religious education also would not prevent Chinese coming to us. Hutchinson testified with reference to the Baxter Schools under his supervision, which are strictly Church of England Schools. The same would hold good for us, and a little before this we read: If an account were taken of the number of children of all ages frequenting denomi- national Schools in Hongkong, and of the aumber frequenting the strictly secular Governoent Schools, the numbers would be found, we believe, to be about equal, while if the pagan Chinese are excluded the number of children of Christian parents seeking religious instruction would largely preponderate, being not less than 700 Christian children brought up in denominational schools against 60 who prefer secular education, thus proving clearly that the vast majority of Christian parents in the Colony are in favour of a religious training for their children. .........