Chapter V.
SECONDARY EDUCATION—BOYS.
(a) For Europeans.
I. English Schools. (a) For Europeans. One school for European children is provided by Government. This is the Central British School and is a mixed school comprising both primary and secondary classes. During 1938 forty-two boys attended the secondary classes. This school is fed mainly by the three mixed primary schools and the Garrison Schools, and during the three-year course boys are prepared for the following examinations: London University Matriculation, Hong Kong University Matriculation, Cambridge University School Certificate and the Hong Kong School Certificate.
(b) For Asiatics. (1) Provided. There are two secondary schools for Asiatics provided by Government, Queen's College, with 228 boys including nine Indians, and King's College with 260 boys. Both these schools have, in addition, primary classes. They are fed from the Government District schools and their own primary classes. As in the case of the primary English schools, English is the medium of instruction in all subjects but pupils also continue their study of Chinese. The staff of these schools comprises European masters, all of whom are graduates, or hold some Diploma of Education, Hong Kong University Trained Teachers, a few non-graduate Anglo-Chinese Masters, and Vernacular Masters. The course of three years is now divided into two. For the first two years pupils prepare for the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination which is taken at the end of the second year. Boys who pass this examination may, if they wish to continue their education, be promoted to Class 1 and prepare for the Hong Kong University Matriculation Examination. On the results of the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination a maximum of thirty-five Government Free Scholarships are awarded to pupils of these schools, and of the Vernacular Normal and Middle School, tenable for one year in Class 1 of Queen's College or King's College.
(ii) Grant-in-Aid Schools. Seven secondary schools for boys, controlled with one exception by Missions, were in receipt of a grant from Government during 1938. The grant is calculated on a capitation basis and is paid at the rate of $40 per pupil annually. All these schools have primary classes, which serve to feed the secondary departments, in which 1,111 boys attended during the year. The course of studies followed is very much the same as that carried out in the Government schools and pupils are prepared for the same examinations. In certain schools boys are entered for the London Chamber of Commerce Examination.
(iii) Private Schools. One secondary English school, St. Stephen's College (184 boys) is a private school and is not inspected by the Education Department.
Examinations. At the Matriculation Examination of the University of Hong Kong held in 1938, 286 boys from local secondary schools sat, of whom 143 passed. 634 boys entered for the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination; 404 passed, 35 obtaining Honours and 31 were absent.
II. Vernacular Schools (Chinese). (i) Provided. The Vernacular Normal and Middle School is the only school provided by Government. In this school (252 pupils) the medium of instruction is Chinese but a certain amount of English is also taught, and boys are entered for the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination.
(2) Subsidized Schools. During the year six Middle Schools (601 boys) received a subsidy from Government. These schools, in which English is taught as a second language, provide a six-year course, three years Junior Middle and three years Senior Middle, leading up to the entrance examinations of Chinese Universities. These schools also provide primary education.