In 1933 a school known as the Junior Technical School was opened, providing a course for pre-apprenticeship training of prospective artisans. This school occupied the site of the Victoria British School, which after many years of excellent service to the department was closed down in 1931. With the inauguration of the Technical School the Technical Institute resumed its old title of Evening Continuation Classes, or the Evening Institute, the name being changed but not the policy.
In 1936 a new Trade School came into existence, and the Head of the Junior Technical School became Principal of the Trade and Technical Schools. This School in 1937, when more fully equipped, opened courses in wireless telegraphy, building and motor car engineering. Applications for entry to all courses in both the Junior Technical and the Trade School far exceed the available accommodation. The average attendance at the two schools during 1937 was 171.
Although a certain amount of medical examination of students was carried out in pre-war days it was not until 1919 onwards that this was made an important part of school life.
In 1920-21 inspections of schools were carried out by officers of the Medical Department with the assistance of the Medical Officer of Health, but in 1924 steps were taken to obtain a whole-time Medical Officer for schools, and in 1925 a Lady Medical Officer was appointed. Under her guidance the whole system of medical examination was expanded. In 1933 she was succeeded by the present Health Officer for Schools and two Chinese Medical Officers for Schools were also appointed. In 1937 a lady Medical Officer for Schools was appointed in addition to the Health Officer.
Now students are examined on entry to Government schools and periodically afterwards. Physical Training is a part of the school curriculum, each student receiving at least one hour's training each week. In 1937 a new post of Physical Training Supervisor was made, prior to which the training had been given by instructors seconded from the military authorities.
By the end of 1937 eleven of the Grant-in-Aid schools had, at their own expense established medical inspection services on the lines of the system carried out in the Government schools.
The Central British School removed to new and spacious premises in 1936, the new building being one of the finest in the Far East, well equipped and possessing good playing fields.
At the end of 1937 the average attendance at all schools reached the record figure of 86,993 representing 1,177 schools. The estimated population at the end of 1936 was 988,190, but this has increased very considerably during 1937-38 owing to the influx of refugees from China.
In 1938 His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, appointed a committee to report on the training of teachers, both English and Vernacular.
The chief recommendation of the committee was that Government should take immediate steps to provide a new centre or centres in the Colony for the training of men and women teachers both Anglo-Chinese and Vernacular.