To
SAVINGRAM
P
Secretary of State for the Colonies
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date
No.
April
142 End
Page. 2.
tt Section 20: The Committee considering the revision of the regulations and syllabus for the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination is still sitting. When sufficient time has elapsed to allow the full effects of the amendments to become apparent, a report will be made.
2. (a)
It would be possible for a Head teacher of local domicile to draw less salary than a European Assistant Teacher, particularly in a co-educational school where the Head
Nevertheless, might be a woman and the assistant a man. a European teacher would have considerable higher living expenses and, comparatively, there would probably be no difference in financial position.
(b) I would be prepared to adopt a differentiation in charge
allowance for Head teachers by amending the Code, Part 1, Section 11, by the addition of the words " For men Head teachers and 80% of these amounts for women Head teachers".
(c) As shown in the attached list only one Grant School has any
Endowment Fund, and that a small one, and as far as can be gathered Religious Orders and Missions are no longer in the position that they were prior to the war to support these schools to any great extent. The schools contributions towards buildings and equipment, towards which Government pays half only, is found entirely from voluntary contri- butions and students' subscriptions.
(a) Very strict supervision is exercised over the expenditure of all Grant Schools. Fees charged in these schools may
It not be less than those in similar Government schools. should be pointed out that tuition fees charged in Government, Grant-Aided and Subsidised schools in this Colony are
There approximately the same as they were before the war. is no doubt that if the se tuition fees were raised, parents
It is felt, however, and guardians would be prepared to pay.
that the tendency should be more towards free education than towards increased fees. In present circumstances, apart from the 10% of free places for poor children there will be no falling-off in fee income."
It is suggested that this question could with advantage be further discussed with the Director of Education, Mr. T.R. ROWELL, who is now on leave in England.
4.
Experience in working with the new Grant Code for two years and the proposed introduction of new Salary Scales for teaching staff by the
Other Salaries Commission make it necessary to modify certain clauses. clauses in the Code need clarification and addition of detail, and an amended version of the Code embodying necessary changes will shortly be submitted.
GTR:mas
Pomaga