Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
The Merchant Shipping Amendment Ordinance, No. 16 of 1906, makes provision for the prevention of obstruction of vessels and landing places, and for the better regulation of junks and similar craft.
IV.—EDUCATION.
The number of Government and Grant Schools, including Queen's College, is 85, of which 24 are Upper Grade Schools with a staff competent to give instruction in all the subjects of Standard VII., and 61 are Lower Grade Schools under purely native management. Generally speaking, the Upper Grade Schools are taught in English, and the Lower Grade Schools are taught in the vernacular.
The total number of pupils in average attendance at Government and Grant Schools was 5,496, against 5,323 in 1905.
Of these, 1,932 were in Government and 3,564 in Grant Schools; 3,350 pupils received instruction in English, and 2,146 in the vernacular. The proportion of boys to girls was 3,531 to 1,965.
The revenue derived from school fees was $46,383.25, $31,478.50 of which was received from Queen's College.
The expenditure, including that on Queen's College, was $159,373, being 2.33 per cent. of the total expenditure of the Colony.
The teaching of hygiene has again received much attention. It is a compulsory study in the four highest classes in all schools where English is taught. Steps have also been taken towards the preparation of a syllabus suited to the Vernacular schools.
Progress was again tested by a competitive examination between the schools for prizes and a shield offered by His Excellency the Governor.
For the Advanced Course there were 64 competitors, composed of 36 boys from five schools, and 28 girls from five schools. The result was highly satisfactory. Taking the three best candidates from each school as a basis of calculation, eight schools out of 10 obtained 80 per cent of full marks or over, and one of the remaining schools nearly as many. There were entered for the Elementary Course 123 competitors. Their work was not proportionately so good. Five scholars obtained over 60 per cent., and four over 40 per cent.
Evening Continuation Classes were opened towards the end of the year. The following table shows the subjects taught and the number of students attending each class:-