AnnualReport-1924 — Page 512

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I would here quote from the 1923 Report of the Director of Education,-"Departmental regulations in the case of Govern- ment schools and the nature of the Grant in the case of the Grant schools ensure that the senior classes are really taught and presented for the University examinations as units, to the discouragement of special tuition and pot-hunting for scholar- ships. These conditions which have been enforced for many years tend to produce a high general level, and should not in my opinion be lightly discarded."

ENGLISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS, 1924.

Day Schools-12 schools were closed and 16 new ones opened during the year, the total number of schools existing at the end of December being 45, an increase of 4 over the number for 1923. The number of pupils enrolled is 3457, the average attendance being 2828.

Of the 45 existing schools 2 are Exempted, 1 is a Mixed School and 3 are Girls' Schools. The total number of pupils from Class 5 downwards is 2890 and that from Class 4 upwards 567.

Night Schools.-22 schools closed and 45 new ones opened leaving a total of 99 schools in existence on December 31st. The total enrolment is 2213, and the average attendance 1646.

Inspection. Mr. Forrest, who was in charge of English Private Schools was transferred in May and was succeeded by Mr. Purcell who came to us from the Singapore Government for a short period. After his departure Mr. Li King Hong took charge of these schools, as from June 15th. Each school has been visited at least once, and the Night Schools, with the help of the sup-inspector, have been inspected twice or three times during the year.

Day Schools are comparatively more regularly managed than Night Schools, a great number of the latter being attended chiefly by workmen who wish to pick up some English words to help them in their work, while the larger ones are mostly carried on in connection with Day Schools and serve as revision classes for day scholars.

E. RALPHS, Inspector of English Schools.