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Annexe C.
REPORT ON VERNACULAR SCHOOLS, URBAN DISTRICTS, 1925.
Mr. A. R. Cavalier left for England on leave on April 1st, and since then I have taken charge of his work in addition to my duties in the New Territories.
Grant Schools.—The 4 upper grade Grant Schools maintained their high standard of efficiency: the L. M. S. Training Home and the St. Paul's Girls' College have now each 4 "Chung Hok" classes, in which English is the medium of instruction in many subjects. The number on roll in the 4 schools was 1,176 and the average attendance, 961.
Subsidised Schools. During the year, altogether 191 schools have received subsidies, some for the whole, and others for only a part, of the year. 5 schools having been either closed of their own accord or struck off on the ground of inefficiency, the number remaining on the subsidy list at the end of the year was 186, as against 168 in 1924. The total enrolment in these schools was 9,369 (10,180 in 1924) and the average attendance, 7,834 (8,846 in 1924). Of the $87,500 subsidy vote, the amount actually spent was $82,655, leaving a balance of $4,845 unexpended.
Private Non-Subsidised Schools.—Certificates were issued to 120 new schools: 36 in the Central and the West districts (in the charge of Mr. W. Yu), 18 in the Eastern district and 66 on the Mainland (in the charge of Mr. K. H. Li) where the rapid growth of the population was doubtless responsible for the large number of new schools. Mr. Yu has found an increase in the number of class B schools in his districts, and a corresponding decrease in the class C schools—a sign of improvement. 138 schools having been either closed or transferred to the Subsidy List, the number of Private Non-Subsidised Schools stands now at 343.
The total number of Private Day Schools is 535, which consist of 2 Exempted, 4 Grant, 186 Subsidised and 343 Non-Subsidised Schools. The total enrolment is 23,707 (28,161 in 1924).
Scholarships. As in previous years, 24 Free Scholars from Boys' Vernacular Schools were admitted to the various District Government Schools and 12 from Girls' Schools to the Belilios School.
Night Schools.—17 new schools opened and 20 closed. The present number is 21, with an attendance of 296. Vernacular Night Schools have always had a precarious existence.