1. English Schools.
(a) For Europeans:-
Chapter V.
SECONDARY EDUCATION--Boys.
With the exception of the small American mission school at Cheung Chau the only secondary school exclusively for European children is provided by Government. This, the Central British School, is a co-educational school having primary and secondary classes. During 1939, 43 boys attended the secondary classes compared with 42 in 1938. As stated in Chapter IV the school is fed from the three mixed primary schools and the Garrison schools. A new building was opened in 1936 and the school has the advantage of standing in its own grounds. It has a growing library and is well equipped with apparatus for science, physical training and for the girls only-domestic science. The school is well staffed and in this school an education is given which compares favourably with that given in a secondary school in England. There is always a movement of pupils as parents are transferred to or from the Colony or proceed on long leave, but there appears to be little loss in general education as children enrolled in schools in England have no difficulty in maintaining their places in their proper age-groups. The syllabuses in the school are exactly similar to those in England, French and Latin being the second languages. The fees in this school were $90 per annum and the permanent staff were on the standard salary scales for European masters and mistresses.
(b) For Asiatics:-
The two Government schools for boys having secondary departments are King's College and Queen's College. As stated previously, both these schools also have primary departments. Their secondary classes are fed by Government District schools and their own primary classes through the general examination set at the end of class 5.
Pupils have a 3 year course ending at the Hong Kong School Certificate examination; after passing that examination many seek employment, some enter the matriculation class (class 1) to prepare for university entrance examinations or for clerkships, while a few transfer to the Trade School. On the results of the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination a maximum of 35 Government free scholarships were awarded to pupils of these schools and of the Saiyingpun Vernacular School, tenable for one year in Class 1 of Queen's College or King's College. The fees in the secondary departments of these schools were $10.00 per month tuition fees plus medical fees ($3.00 per annum) besides sports and library fees. As in primary schools, scholars provided their own books.
In these schools 14 to 17 periods each week were allotted to mathematics and science, 17 to 21 to other English subjects, 2 periods for physical training and 5 to 7 for translation and Chinese; in class 4 seven periods less were devoted to mathematics and science, other English subjects benefitting; in the lowest classes no translation was done, more time being devoted to vernacular, and more time was spent on English at the expense of mathematics. All Chinese pupils are required to continue the study of their own language and literature throughout their course in the English school; this study and that of English together absorb a large part of the time available and it is therefore difficult to find room for such important activities as handwork, art and music: In all classes at least one period a week was allotted to hygiene. At Queen's College there were commercial classes. Both schools have good libraries. King's College building was erected in 1927 and is in good condition, with two laboratories, a swimming pool, gymnasium, library, art and geography room and a large hall. Queen's College building dates from 1887 and the question of erection of a new building is under urgent consideration. There are laboratories and a hall but no other rooms for special use; although the library is very large it is impossible to provide as much space for readers as at King's College where one period a week is allotted to upper classes for the use of the library under supervision. Neither school has demonstration rooms for science.
1. English Schools.
(a) For Europeans:-
Chapter V.
SECONDARY EDUCATION--Boys.
With the exception of the small American mission school at Cheung Chau the only secondary school exclusively for European children is provided by Government. This, the Central British School, is a co-educational school having primary and secondary classes. During 1939, 43 boys attended the secondary classes compared with 42 in 1938. As stated in Chapter IV the school is fed from the three mixed primary schools and the Garrison schools. A new building was opened in 1936 and the school has the advantage of standing in its own grounds. It has a growing library and is well equipped with apparatus for science, physical training and for the girls only-domestic science. The school is well staffed and in this school an education is given which compares favourably with that given in a secondary school in England. There is always a movement of pupils as parents are transferred to or from the Colony or proceed on long leave, but there appears to be little loss in general education as children enrolled in schools in England have no difficulty in maintaining their places in their proper age-groups. The syllabuses in the school are exactly similar to those in England, French and Latin being the second languages. The fees in this school were $90 per annum and the permanent staff were on the standard salary scales for European masters and mistresses.
(b) For Asiatics:-
The two Government schools for boys having secondary departments are King's College and Queen's College. As stated previously, both these schools also have primary departments. Their secondary classes are fed by Government District schools and their own primary classes through the general examination set at the end of class 5.
Pupils have a 3 year course ending at the Hong Kong School Certificate examination; after passing that examination many seek employment, some enter the matriculation class (class 1) to prepare for university entrance examinations or for clerkships, while a few transfer to the Trade School. On the results of the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination a maximum of 35 Government free scholarships were awarded to pupils of these schools and of the Saiyingpun Vernacular School, tenable for one year in Class 1 of Queen's College or King's College. The fees in the secondary departments of these schools were $10.00 per month tuition fees plus medical fees ($3.00 per annum) besides sports and library fees. As in primary schools, scholars provided their own books.
In these schools 14 to 17 periods each week were allotted to mathematics and science, 17 to 21 to other English subjects, 2 periods for physical training and 5 to 7 for translation and Chinese; in class 4 seven periods less were devoted to mathematics and science, other English subjects benefitting; in the lowest classes no translation was done, more time being devoted to vernacular, and more time was spent on English at the expense of mathematics. All Chinese pupils are required to continue the study of their own language and literature throughout their course in the English school; this study and that of English together absorb a large part of the time available and it is therefore difficult to find room for such important activities as handwork, art and music: In all classes at least one period a week was allotted to hygiene. At Queen's College there were commercial classes. Both schools have good libraries. King's College building was erected in 1927 and is in good condition, with two laboratories, a swimming pool, gymnasium, library, art and geography room and a large hall. Queen's College building dates from 1887 and the question of erection of a new building is under urgent consideration. There are laboratories and a hall but no other rooms for special use; although the library is very large it is impossible to provide as much space for readers as at King's College where one period a week is allotted to upper classes for the use of the library under supervision. Neither school has demonstration rooms for science.
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