0 4
if at all. little below what it is now. But the general improvement is demonstrable by the fact that all pupils in the two Senior classes of all schools are now compelled to take the University Matriculation (or Senior) and Junior Examinations. Considering this, the percentage of passes is fairly high (Table VI), and compares favourably with that of the selected candidates from outside schools. Also it varies little from year to year. When a comparison is made between such schools as Queen's College (Government) St. Joseph's (Grant) and St. Stephen's (Uncontrolled) little difference can be detected. The syllabuses adopted have again and again been amended in detail by various strong committees. As a whole I am satisfied that there is not room for any startling change in method or curriculum.
13. It is a well-known fact that the candidates who matriculate from the Straits have a higher knowledge of English as a whole than the average of Hongkong pupils: the reason in fairness to local schools should be known also. Here by common consent Chinese boys are expected to study Chinese, and this involves three years preliminary study in a Vernacular School, and about eight periods weekly for the eight years of their school career. In the Straits on the contrary it is not held essential that Chinese should be able to write their language.
VERNACULAR EDUCATION.
14. Twenty years ago Vernacular Education was known to the Department solely by the work of 78 Missionary Grant Schools. With a few exceptions it was almost valueless. The Committee on Education reported in 1902:-
"Beginning with the Trimetrical and Thousand Character and certain other Classics, which are learned by heart, the scholars are taught first to read and then to write the characters. Subsequently they learn their meanings, first as isolated characters and afterwards in their context. Unfortunately they nearly all leave school before getting as far as this, that is to say, unable to read.
"Geography is taught (very badly) in the Fourth Standard, where many of the Scholars were at the last examination ignorant that Hongkong was a British Colony: a number hazarded the opinion that it belonged to Russia.
"But this is not all: the children from whom alone such knowledge was expected are a very small minority, as the following figures show. Out of 795 boys who obtained passes in the last examination, only 54 or 7 per cent. were in the higher Standards (Fourth or above)."
15. As late as 1914 only 24 per cent. of the pupils were in Standards III and above. In 1920 the proportion was 46 or almost double, and that with a much higher standard set.
16. The present position is outlined in the following paragraphs:
Urban District.-There are 13,719 children on the books of the Vernacular Day Schools of the Colony and 405 more in the Night Schools.
0 4
if at all. little below what it is now. But the general improvement is demonstrable by the fact that all pupils in the two Senior classes of all schools are now compelled to take the University Matriculation (or Senior) and Junior Examinations. Considering this, the per- centage of passes is fairly high (Table VI), and compares favourably with that of the selected candidates from outside schools. Also it varies little from year to year. When a comparison is made bet- ween such schools as Queen's College (Government) St. Joseph's (Grant) and St. Stephen's (Uncontrolled) little difference can be detected. The syllabuses adopted have again and again been amended in detail by various strong committees. As a whole I am satisfied that there is not room for any startling change in method or curriculum.
13. It is a well-known fact that the candidates who matriculate from the Straits have a higher knowledge of English as a whole than the average of Hongkong pupils: the reason in fairness to local schools should be known also. Here by common consent Chinese boys are expected to study Chinese, and this involves three years preliminary study in a Vernacular School, and about eight periods weekly for the eight years of their school career. In the Straits on the contrary it is not held essential that Chinese should be able to write their language.
VERNACULAR EDUCATION.
14. Twenty years ago Vernacular Education was known to the Department solely by the work. of 78 Missionary Grant Schools. With a few exceptions it was almost valueless. The Committee on. Education reported in 1902:-
"Beginning with the Trimetrical and Thousand Character and certain other Classics, which are learned by heart, the scholars are taught first to read and then to write the characters. Subsequently they learn their meanings, first as isolated characters and afterwards in their context. Unfortunately they nearly all leave school before getting as far as this, that is to say, unable to read.
"Geography is taught (very badly) in the Fourth Standard, where many of the Scholars were at the last examination ignorant that Hongkong was a British Colony: a number hazarded the opinion that it belonged to Russia.
"But this is not all: the children from whom alone such know- ledge was expected are a very small minority, as the following figures show. Out of 795 boys who obtained passes in the last examination, only 54 or 7 per cent. were in the higher Standards (Fourth or above)."
15. As late as 1914 only 24 per cent. of the pupils were in Standards III and above. In 1920 the proportion was 46 or almost double, and that with a much higher standard set.
16. The present position is outlined in the following paragraphs:
Urban District.-There are 13,719 children on the books of the Vernacular Day Schools of the Colony and 405 more in the Night
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.