N 17
General. The pupils have had two treats this year. In July they went to a Cinematograph entertainment and saw some most interesting, as well as educational, pictures. In December many of them went on the new railway as far as Lown. It was a beautiful day and the excursion proved very enjoyable.
43. The Vernacular School under Mr. Sung Hok-pang continues to set a high standard of Vernacular education.
GRANT SCHOOLS.
(Table III.)
44. The changes in the constitution of the Grant Schools caused by the new Code have already been enumerated (paragraph 12). Table VII shows the number of pupils in each Class of the more important Government and Grant Schools. The percentage of boarders and the average fees charged were given in last year's report, and have not appreciably changed. The average attendance at the Ellis Kadoorie School has increased from 596 to 664; otherwise there is no striking change in the numbers.
Figures showing nationality of pupils and the number of boarders are given below:
School Total Pupils Total Boarders Percentages of different nationalities Fees European and American other than Portuguese, Portuguese, Europeans, Chinese, Other Asiatic nationalities Per mensem Max. 1.-St. Joseph's College, 507 62 10 56 7.5 35 19.5 3.00 2.-Italian Convent, 353 128 14 22 15 7 3.00 3. French Convent, 113 26 43 90 19 3.00 4.-Anglo-Portuguese, 66 1 2.00 7.—Diocesan Girls' School, 75 35 63 6.00 8.- Boys' 300 101 5 39 51 8.00 9.—St. Mary's, 124 27 46 18 2.00 11.-Ellis Kadoorie, 689 2.00 13. St. Francis' 96 12 50 22 2.0045. Out of 45 Vernacular Schools, 13 were returned as "thoroughly efficient" This expression must be understood in terms of the very modest requirements of the Department. But a few schools do really very good work, especially the Training Home for Girls, the Victoria Home and Orphanage, and Fairlea. Apart from these, the education given is of a very elementary nature. Of the 1,967 pupils in the Lower Grade Vernacular Schools, 87 per cent. are in the three lowest standards. Of the 45 Vernacular Schools, 25 are for girls and 5 are for girls and boys together.