52
14
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
PAPERS RELATING TO
Education.
37. On this important subject I can scarcely do better than quote some remarks in a report written just before his death by the late Mr. Stewart, Colonial Secretary, whose deep interest in the cause of education was evinced by the valuable aid which he rendered to it during the whole course of the long period of his public service, now unhappily come to an end.
"The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the Colony. There is yet much to be done and female education is only in its infancy; but the lines on which the system is moving seem to be correct, and time alone is required to reclaim those portions of the field which remain untouched. We have now four highly efficient public schools, not including the convents, which do so much for the education of girls. Government schools are penetrating into the outlying villages. The Education Code is working most smoothly, and seldom gives rise to any question which cannot be easily settled."
38. It is gratifying to note that since the above was written your Lordship has approved a scheme for the establishment, by way of experiment, of a Government central school for girls similar to the boys' school, now called the "Victoria College," which has already proved so successful. The various objections to the establishment of such a school, which I have heard urged in the Colony or which have been suggested by my own experience, were, in my opinion, entirely overcome by an able report of Dr. Eitel, the Inspector of Schools (dated the 5th of July 1889), which has been already forwarded to your Lordship. There appear to be strong grounds for believing that the institution now to be established will meet a very urgent need; and that its success, by giving a general impetus to female education, will considerably reduce the unhappily large number of children in the Colony (8,000, the great majority girls) who are still without education.
39. The completion of the new building for "Victoria College," as providing greatly increased accommodation for pupils, together with the additional strength given to the teaching staff, may be expected to assist largely in the good work which this institution has already effected—not only for the higher education of the youth of the Colony, but in introducing a leaven of European acquirements in knowledge among the people of the neighbouring Empire. I should not, however, omit to state that this latter object, as well as the higher education of the Colony, is being largely served by several other institutions which, supported mainly by private subscription, are assisted by Government contributions, under the grant-in-aid system established by Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy.
Shipping.
40. With regard to the tonnage statistics contained in the Colonial Secretary's report,* it may be noted that the aggregate
*Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.
52
14
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
PAPERS RELATING TO
Education.
37. On this important subject I can scarcely do better than quote some remarks in a report written just before his death by the late Mr. Stewart, Colonial Secretary, whose deep interest in the cause of education was evinced by the valuable aid which he rendered to it during the whole course of the long period of his public service, now unhappily come to an end.
"The advance in education is one of the most gratifying features in the progress of the Colony.
of the Colony. There is yet much to be done and female education is only in its infancy; but the lines on which the system is moving seem to be correct, and time alone is required to reclaim those portions of the field which remain untouched. We have now four highly efficient public schools, not including the convents, which do so much for the education of girls. Government schools are penetrating into the outlying villages. The Education Code is working most smoothly, and seldom gives rise to any question which cannot be easily settled."
,,
38. It is gratifying to note that since the above was written your Lordship has approved a scheme for the establishment, by way of experiment, of a Government central school for girls similar to the boys' school, now called the "Victoria College, which has already proved so successful. The various objections to the establishment of such a school, which I have heard urged in the Colony or which have been suggested by my own experience, were, in my opinion, entirely overcome by an able report of Dr. Eitel, the Inspector of Schools (dated the 5th of July 1889), which has been already forwarded to your Lordship. There appear to be strong grounds for believing that the institution now to be established will meet a very urgent need; and that its success, by giving a general impetus to female education, will con- siderably reduce the unhappily large number of children in the Colony (8,000, the great majority girls) who are still without education.
39. The completion of the new building for “Victoria College,” as providing greatly increased accommodation for pupils, together with the additional strength given to the teaching staff, may be expected to assist largely in the good work which this institution has already effected-not only for the higher education of the youth of the Colony, but in introducing a leaven of European acquirements in knowledge among the people of the neighbouring Empire. I should not, however, omit to state that this latter object, as well as the higher education of the Colony, is being largely served by several other institutions which, supported mainly by private subscription, are assisted by Government contribu- tions, under the grant-in-aid system established by Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy.
Shipping.
40. With regard to the tonnage statistics contained in the Colonial Secretary's report,* it may be noted that the aggregate
*Colonial Possessions Report No. 77.
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