O 25
The Ying Wa Girls' School entered 4 students from the highest "Chung Hok" class for the Junior Local Examination for the first time in the history of Vernacular Schools, and all passed—a remarkable achievement.
In these schools, the teaching of Reading in the upper classes, which at one time was generally too mechanical, has shown a steady improvement during the last few years. One would, however, like to see a higher standard reached in Composition. The tone of all the 4 schools continues to be very good.
III.—PRIVATE SCHOOLS, URBAN DISTRICTS.
Subsidized Schools. Of the 191 Subsidized Schools existing at the end of 1926, 2 closed and 1 was transferred to the Non-Subsidy List at the beginning of this year. During the year, 14 schools were added to, and 6 schools were removed from this list: thus 202 schools have received Subsidies, but only 196 remain on the list at the end of the year. The total enrolment in these schools was 12,592, and the average attendance was 11,260. Of the $90,000 Subsidies Vote, the amount actually expended was $88,100. This amounts on the average to $436.14 per school and $7.01 per pupil ($458.01 and $8.22 in 1926).
Non-Subsidized Schools.—131 new schools were registered—a record year, breaking the record of 1925, which was 120. This increase was doubtless due to the influx of a number of the more conservative teachers who find this Colony more congenial to their teaching. 84 schools closed during the year, 14 schools were transferred to, and 7 transferred from, the Subsidy List. The number of schools on this Non-Subsidy List at the end of the year stands at 388 (348 in 1926). The Total Enrolment in these schools was 17,367, and the Average Attendance, 14,585 (16,423 and 14,622 in 1926).
The total number of Private Day Schools is now 590 (545 in 1926), which consist of 2 exempted, 4 Grant, 196 Subsidized and 388 Non-Subsidized Schools. The Maximum Enrolment was 31,010 (28,102 in 1926, 23,707 in 1925 and 14,335 in 1917), and the Average Attendance was 26,769. About one-third of the number were girls.
Free Scholarships—29 boys and 12 girls from Subsidized Schools were admitted to the various Government English Schools. The 4 scholarships tenable at the Vernacular Middle School were competed for by 27 candidates, and were awarded to the best 4.
Night Schools—20 Night Schools were newly registered and 18 closed. The number is now 19, with a total enrolment of 603, average attendance, 443.