Report of the Sub-Committee appointed by the Board of Education, on the introduction of Music, Arts and Crafts into local Anglo-Chinese schools
Our terms of reference were:
"To advise the Board as to the nature and form of the subjects to be introduced, the method by which they should be introduced, and as to an appropriate time for their introduction."
In order to ascertain to what extent these subjects are actually being taught in local schools, a questionnaire, of which a copy is attached hereto (Appendix A), was sent to all Government and Grant Anglo-Chinese schools. The replies received are summarized on the attached sheets, (Appendices B and C).
2. Taking the Girls' schools first, it will be seen from the summary that considerable attention is already being paid to all three subjects. Moreover, with the exception of music at one school, all schools state that they have a sufficient number of competent teachers to enable some form of music, art and handwork to be included in the curriculum for all classes.
3.
The music taught is usually Singing (English tunes).
The Drawing taught is English drawing •
The Handwork taught is usually Needlework.
In the boys schools with one or two exceptions, the summary shows that comparatively little is being done in any of the three subjects, and that there are few teachers specially qualified to teach them.
4. In connection with Art and Handwork in the boys' schools, the experiment of a "Hobbies Hour" now being made at the D.B.S. is worthy of mention. It is described by the H.M. as follows:
"During the last period on Friday afternoon, boys in classes 1-5 redivide, choosing (and as far as possible first choice is allowed) one of the following hobbies:- music, nature study, including some gardening, fretwork, modelling, woodwork, art, Chinese (including Chinese art), photography, geography, stamps, acting, debates, commercial subjects, or extra English, especially reading. It is hoped to extend the selection offered. Each of these hobbies has a teacher in charge and some of them follow up with work outside school hours."
The above shows what can be attempted even without specialist staff. Two advantages of the scheme are that it encourages closer personal contact between staff and pupils, and draws into the service of the school the enthusiasm and interest of teachers in their own pet hobbies.
5. Even with existing staffs it appears that in some schools, particularly the girls schools, more could be done than is done at present to teach some form of Music, Art and Crafts. We recommend that Heads of Schools both boys and girls should be asked, when framing their time tables for the school year commencing in September 1938, to allot weekly periods for these subjects in as many classes as the existing staff can competently cope with. If they cannot cope with all classes, it is recommended that the lower classes be provided for in the first instance. We also recommend that Heads of Boys' schools should endeavour to initiate some such scheme as the "Hobbies Hour" described in para. 4 above.
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