Enclosure No. 3 to Governor's Despatch No.380
of the 24th. September, 1901.
Minute from the Inspector of Schools to the Colonial
Hon. Col. Secy.
679
I have fully discussed this matter
with Dr. Bo Kai. The case is one of class legislation again. But it is in my opinion fully justifiable by the reasonings I expressed in my report on the system of education in Hongkong. The scheme proposes to turn out Chinese boys well equipped with the best sort of education and thoroughly in sympathy with modern ideas. As Mr. Brewin has said a better educated Chinese opinion would best secure the voluntary adoption of sanitary precautions among the Chinese."
2.
The expression Class Legislation implies that G's money is spent for the sole benefit of B. But a school for giving a real education to 100 boys would (I maintain) benefit every member of the Community from the highest to the lowest, far more than an instruction in the beginnings of Geography, English, Arithmetic, does now benefit the large members who obtain it.
3.
I have been into the question of the cost with Mr. Brewin and it does not seem at all formidable.
4.
I have lately expressed my views so fully on this subject of education that I need not add much now. I consider that a great deal of the money spent on teaching smatterings to boys who do not pursue their education is wasted, and that our policy should be to help those boys who are willing
to receive a comparatively complete education, to help them
not more for their own sakes than for the benefit we shall receive in later years from their influence over their countrymen. Please see also the enclosed report.
19th. September, 1901.
(Sd.) B. A. Irving,
Inspector of Schools.