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C.-Grant Schools.
The number of these schools was reduced by the removal of one which fell short of the required standard. The remaining schools for the most part did excellent work. Statistics are given in Table IV.
D.-Vernacular Schools.
Interest in the Government Vernacular Middle School, opened in 1926, was fully maintained. The site of the school—the old Saiyingpun School—is definitely bad but no other is at present available. Of the 5 students in the highest standard of the Middle School division, it is satisfactory to note that 4 were successful in the special final examination conducted by the Hong Kong University. This Examination, which is open to other students as well as those of the Vernacular Middle School, was inaugurated this year, and it is hoped that the successful candidates may, in the event of a Department of Chinese Studies coming into being at Hong Kong University, be accepted as having the qualifications necessary for admission into that Department.
The Vernacular Normal School for Women, in its quiet way, is one of the best in the Colony.
New and better quarters were found for it in Lee Garden Street, where it occupies 12 flats. With more room and an increased staff, its scope was extended to include a Third Year Normal Class. 132 pupils were on the roll, as compared with 113 in 1926 and 49 in 1925.
The number of private urban Vernacular schools was 590 and of pupils 31,010, as against 545 and 28,102 in 1926. About one-third of these, viz. 196 schools with 12,592 pupils, received Subsidies from Government totalling $88,100.
Rural Vernacular schools at the end of the year numbered 185 with 5,375 pupils, as against 191 and 4,890 in 1926.
More than half, viz. 101 schools with 3,462 pupils, received Subsidies from Government totalling $12,665.
There can be no doubt about the impetus given to Vernacular schools in the last few years, and the old prejudice against simple readers and improved methods is happily far less marked.
E-Technical Institute.
The Technical Institute, designed to supply instruction in various subjects for those desiring the opportunity of evening study, was well attended. Details are given in Table X.