AnnualReport-1923 — Page 467

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TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

(Annexe B)

18. The Technical Institute continues to be popular, the attendance being 526 (495 in 1922). Classes were held in Building Construction, Mechanics, Machine Drawing, Electricity, Mathe- matics, Chemistry (Practical and Theoretical), Physics, English, Shorthand and Book-keeping. The Teachers Classes (English

Classes and Vernacular) for Men and Women were very well attended and are doing very useful work: 275 students attended during the year of whom 23 obtained the Final (Third Year) Certificate.

VERNACULAR EDUCATION

(Annexes C and D)

URBAN DISTRICTS

19. There were 471 Vernacular Schools open at the end of the year, with an enrolment of about 24,000 pupils: (429 schools and 21,000 pupils in 1922). This increase is remarkable, and probably is mainly caused by a sudden increase in the population. The numbers in attendance have more than doubled since 1914, when the Education Ordinance was passed.

Of these schools 164 receive subsidies amounting to $64,115: ($52,907 in 1922.) The enrolment in these subsidized schools was 9,397, an increase of about 1000. Thus over 40% of the pupils in Vernacular Schools receive assistance from the Department. It amounts on the average to $384 a school and $6.82 a head: ($341 and $6,23 in 1922.)

The proportion of pupils who continue beyond the third year is 16% in subsidized and 29% in non-subsidized schools, practically the same as last year. The more wealthy and therefore noɑ- subsidized pupils stay on longer.

20. The Ordinance continues to work with the greatest smoothness, thanks to the tact, firmness, and experience of the Inspectors.