TABLE XVI-NUMBER of UNEDUCATED CHILDREN in the Colony in 1881.
Number of Children in the Colony under sixteen years of age, as per Census (of 1881):
Chinese Male, ... 10,629
Chinese Female, ... 9,940
Total Chinese, ....... 20,569
Europeans, etc. say, ... 1,000
Goa, Mania, etc. say, ... 300
21,869
Deduct, Children in School in 1881, as per Census, .. 6,587
Deduct, as being under five years of age, say, ... 5,467
Total to be deducted, ... 12,054
Total of Uneducated Children, say, ... 9,815
E. J. EITEL, ...... Inspector of Schools
APPENDIX.
GOVERNMENT NORMAL SCHOOL,
March 3rd, 1882.
SIR,
I have the honour to forward you the report of the Government Normal School for the year 1881.
This School was started in the month of September last, the first few days of which were spent in getting pupils together, preparing books, materials, &c. On the 12th September, the School was formally opened, when twelve youths attended on trial.
Out of this number, seven are still Students. The other five withdrew for various causes; some not being far enough advanced, and the parents of others not wishing them to attend.
To fill up the three vacancies which then remained to make the full complement of Students, viz. ten, five other youths were admitted. Two of these Students were not suitable and consequently withdrew, the other three remained.
To bring the Students under closer scrutiny and supervision, also to enable them to assist one another in their studies, and thus make quicker progress, by studying, out of school hours, together in one school-room, undisturbed by any noise they would probably be subject to at home, they were allowed to take up their residence at the School, where they can conveniently study at their own desks, having all their books and other requisites at hand.
In December, after three months of probation, the ten Students were examined by the Inspector of Schools and passed satisfactorily.
Of these ten Students, nine were formerly pupils at the Government Central School. The other one was a pupil of the Government Elementary School at Saiyingp'ún.
As a proof that the School is looked upon favourably both by the students and their parents or guardians, I may mention that three of the ten Students had already left school and were earning a competency for themselves. One of them had passed the examination for a Sergeant interpreter in the Police department on a salary of twenty dollars ($20) a month. Another was a clerk in H. M. Naval Yard at a salary of fifteen dollars ($15) a month, and the other was cashier and clerk in a store.
The school premises at present used for the Normal School are very suitable, as they are situated in a quiet spot out of the city; the school-rooms are large and healthy, and the number of boys, who attend the Elementary Day School to which the Normal School is attached, form an ample quantity of material for the Students to practice on, under my supervision.
If the Government could see its way to build quarters for the Principal over the present school-rooms, a great advantage would be gained, as then the private studies of the Students, both in the morning and evening, could be better supervised by the Principal.
Now that the Students have settled down to their work, I trust that the desire of the Government to obtain trained native teachers for the Elementary Schools will be accomplished, though it must be borne in mind that for the first period, at least, a great many drawbacks must necessarily be expected and encountered.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
A. J. MAY,
(Principal.)