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number of boys between six and sixteen who are or who have been at school is between 35,000 and 36,000 out of a possible 38,988. This is in accordance with the best opinion that very few Chinese males in Hongkong are totally illiterate.
*
13. The total population in the New Territories is given at 83,163 of these, 3,989 or nearly 5% are in attendance at schools. The corresponding figure for the United States of America is 20%, and that for the Philippine Islands is 10%. The lowness of our figure in comparison with the Philippines is due to the almost entire absence of girls from the schools of the New Territories.
EDUCATION IN ENGLISH.
14. In the last 10 years the number of pupils learning English has increased by over 100% (Table V.) The Census gives an increase in the total population of only 36.87% for the same period. Thus it is obvious that the study of English is being widely extended. Further, a greater proportion of the pupils are continuing their studies into the highest Classes. This is shown by the University Examination results as explained in paragraph 29. Another proof is given by the figures showing the admittances from the District Schools into the Upper School at Queen's College. These numbered 44 in 1911 and 150 in 1921 an increase of 340%, or nearly ten times the increase in the population.
THE BRITISH SCHOOLS.
(Table I)
15. The growth of these schools has been remarkable. The average attendance has increased from 163 to 209 and the maximum enrolment from 233 to 345. The increase among the smaller children has been evenly distributed, but in the higher Classes is confined to Kowloon School. Indeed the small number in the higher Classes at Victoria School has made it necessary to close them as explained by the Inspector of English Schools in his report, Annexe A. There is now what there has never been before, a numerically strong Upper School at Kowloon, and it becomes possible to compare the progress of the British children with those of other nationalities.
16. The School has many inherent difficulties. Of 26 pupils who sat for the University Examinations all but six had been at the School less than 2 years. Sometimes too a child will go home for a year and drop all his work during that time. No one perhaps is to blame, but the results are saddening.
17. Only one pupil passed the Matriculation, though 5 passed the Senior (i.e. fell short in Mathematics) and 11 the Junior Examinations. As a further test and for purposes of comparison, I had an essay written by the Classes preparing for the Junior Local at Kowloon School and at a good school for Chinese boys and another for Portuguese girls. The Kowloon School was
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number of boys between six and sixteen who are or who have been at school is between 35,000 and 36,000 out of a possible 38,988. This is in accordance with the best opinion that very few Chinese males in Hongkong are totally illiterate.
*
13. The total population in the New Territories is given at 83,163 of these, 3,989 or nearly 5% are in attendance at schools. The corresponding figure for the United States of America is 20%, and that for the Philippine Islands is 10%. The lowness of our figure in comparison with the Philippines is due to the almost entire absence of girls from the schools of the New Territories.
EDUCATION IN ENGLISH.
14. In the last 10 years the number of pupils learning English has increased by over 100% (Table V.) The Census gives an increase in the total population of only 36-87% for the same period. Thus it is obvious that the study of English is being widely extended. Further, a greater proportion of the pupils are continuing their studies into the highest Classes. This is shewn by the University Examination results as explained in paragraph 29. Another proof is given by the figures shewing the admittances from the District Schools into the Upper School at Queen's College. These numbered 44 in 1911 and 150 in 1921 an increase of 340%, or nearly ten times the increase in the population.
THE BRITISH SCHOOLS.
(Table I)
15. The growth of these schools has been remarkable. The average attendance has increased from 163 to 209 and the maximum enrolment from 233 to 345. The increase among the smaller children has been evenly distributed, but in the higher Classes is confined to Kowloon School. Indeed the small number in the higher Classes at Victoria School has made it necessary to close them as explained by the Inspector of English Schools in his report, Annexe A. There is now what there has never been before, a numerically strong Upper School at Kowloon, and it becomes possible to compare the progress of the British children with those of other nationalities.
16. The School has many inherent difficulties. Of 26 pupils who sat for the University Examinations all but six had been at the School less than 2 years. Sometimes too a child will go home for a year and drop all his work during that time. No one perhaps is to blame, but the results are saddening.
17. Only one pupil passed the Matriculation, though 5 passed the Senior (i.e. fell short in Mathematics) and 11 the Junior Examinations. As a further test and for purposes of comparison, I had an essay written by the Classes preparing for the Junior Local at Kowloon School and at a good school for Chinese boys and another for Portuguese girls. The Kowloon School was
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