C.—Grant Schools.
In April a Branch of Wah Yan College at Mong Kok was formally opened by the Director of Education. It is in a new building, towards which the Government assisted with a Building Grant of $10,000, and has accommodation for some 370 pupils.
A substantial grant was also made to the Diocesan Girls' School towards the cost of an excellent covered playground and other desirable improvements to the school building.
The Ying Wa Girls' School completed its fine new premises in Bonham Road towards which Government has in all contributed $50,000 under the provisions of the Code. The final $9,000 of this sum was paid in 1928.
Much good work is done in the Grant Schools, which are 11 in number with a total of 4,257 pupils.
The tendency to premature promotion, though not so marked as it has been in the past, is still an observable weakness.
D.—Vernacular Schools.
The competition to enter the Government Vernacular Middle School is shown by the large number of candidates (235) who sat for the entrance examination.
The special Final Examination of the Middle School Division, was again conducted by the Hong Kong University.
Two pupils were successful and they, together with the four who passed in 1927, are to enter the new School of Chinese Studies which is to open at the University in 1929.
It is once more a pleasure to refer to the Vernacular Normal School for Women which continues to do admirable work. Some of the 4th year Normal Students who have just passed out are fit to take their place as advanced Vernacular Teachers anywhere.
The number of private Urban Vernacular Day Schools was 658 with a maximum enrolment of 36,642 as against 590 and 31,010 in 1927.
Of these pupils, 12,432 were girls. 218 or one-third of the total number of these schools, received Subsidies from Government totalling $92,280 as against 196 and $88,100 in 1927.
There were also 20 Private Vernacular Night Schools with a maximum enrolment of 423.