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All thought of school or scholars till he returns to his desk. The fact that none had a notebook to show in proof of his having lately prepared any lesson beforehand, and the fact that the Masters generally come to their lessons unprepared, speak volumes. A reform is urgently needed in the direction of giving to the Chinese Masters their proper position as subordinate assistants and to the English Masters a sense of responsibility with regard to their respective classes or subjects, coupled with a measure of personal authority over their scholars and some freedom in the choice of their methods.
B.
Staff of the Chinese Division. The Chinese School consists of four roughly classified sets of scholars under four Chinese graduates meeting (with frequent and lengthy interruptions) for three or one and a-half hours every day each time under the supervision (for purposes of order) of an English Master. The Headmaster does not profess competency to fix the subjects to be taught in these classes but leaves that to the four Chinese Masters who arrange it as they deem best. Loud memoriter repetition (indispensable for progress in Chinese studies) is forbidden. Individual teaching (the backbone of Chinese method) is the exception and class teaching the rule. The boys have, however, a fair opportunity, if they choose to avail themselves of it, to keep up their previous attainment in English. More cannot in fairness be expected. Responsibility is in this case also significantly absent. But even the Headmaster's rule is here wanting. The supposed supervision by the English Master is avowedly a mere form and a waste of time and energy.