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Chapter V.
REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE TECHNICAL
INSTITUTE.
Mr. Ralphs, who was Director of the Technical Institute for 23 years, retired in June. Prior to his regime the Institute was known as The Evening Continuation Classes-a form of Night School, and it has in the main retained that character ever since.
During the past year classes met at Queen's College, King's College, Belilios Public School, Central British School, Quarry Bay and the University for instruction in the following subjects: -English Literature, Commercial English, French, Shorthand, Book-Keeping, Physics, Chemistry, Hygiene, Pedagogy, Elec- trical Engineering, Building Construction, Sanitation, Field Surveying. Navigation, and Physical Instruction. At various times in the past lectures have been given in Steam, Machine Drawing, Applied Mechanics, Architectural Design, Practical Mathematics, Logic and Political Economy. There seems to be something about the life and climate of Hong Kong that makes it very difficult to form and to keep in being classes for purely technical subjects. Then Hong Kong, being a trade depot rather than a manufacturing centre, does not require many technical experts. Such experts, as are needed, are usually trained at home and are not over anxious to train others to follow in their footsteps.
year.
The Institute was open as usual during eight months of the
The number of students in attendance during the year was 798 against 598 in 1929. This large increase is mainly due to the formation of two additional English classes-one at Taikoo and the other at West Point, the revival of the Book-Keeping class and the Field Surveving class, and the formation of a Sanitation class to train the local Sanitary Inspectors for the Sanitary Science Examination held by the Royal Sanitary Institute.
In June and for certain Classes in December-Examina- tions were conducted by independent examiners. 313 students were examined (360 in 1929): of these a total of 126 passed (196) in 1929). The reduction in these numbers is due to the formation of several classes in the middle or the latter part of the year. A high standard is required throughout, particular- ly in the Teachers' Classes. At the December examination of
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43 Teachers (same in 1929) examined in the "English" Teachers' Classes 34 passed, 2 with "Distinction"; in the "Vern cular" Classes 162 were examined and only 16 passed though many were near the border line. These classes have since been re- organized and the syllabus has been modified. Better results (particularly from the women teachers, who are very keen) are expected next year. Final Teachers' Certificates" were gained by 15 (4 in 1929) in the "English" Teachers Classes and by 2 (8 in 1929) in the "Vernacular" Teachers Classes,
The M. O. (Schools) gives all the "English" Teachers a very thorough training in Hygiene. Miss Jaques assisted by Miss Lee has done splendid work in instructing the Women "Vernacular" Teachers in Physical Training, so that they will be competent to carry out approved physical training courses in their schools. All the examiners' reports are satisfactory, particularly those of the Book-Keeping and Electrical Engineer- ing classes.
26th February, 1931.
A. O. BRAWN, Director of Technical Institute.
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