0
Extract from the Hongkong Daily Press of 17.10.76.
391
C
J
KADOORIE THE ELLIS
SCHOOL FOR INDIANS. OPENING CEREMONY.
AD extra
'mony, said: It affords.:me & great deal
The staff of the new School consists of: Head Master, Mr. R. J. Birbeck, of pleasure to open this School, the build-
M.A., Trin. Coll., Cantal; Assistant) ing for which is the generous gift of Mr.
Masters Mr. Bishen Singh, Mr. Abdul- Ellis Kadoorie (applause) whose in-
lah, Mr. Dhool. Mr. Birbeck has been a terest in and support of education are
member of the staff of Queen's College new Anglo-Indian School, a muni- well-known; and it may be useful to
since 1908, and consequently has had briefly survey the history of this parti
considerable experience in teaching In- gift by Mr. Ellis Kadoorie, was cular institution. The Committee or
dian boys who attend the Queen's College evening formally opened by His Education which reported in 1902 on the
Upper School. Mr. Bishen Singh holds educational needs of the Colony dismissed
the Teacher's Certificate granted by the ency the Governor of Hongkong, the requirements of the Indian Communi-
Education Department to Masters who Henry May, in the presence of a ty in these words: The case of Parsees have passed satisfactorily through a three years' course at the Technical Institute, entative gathering of ladies and and other Indian British subjects, of whom there are a considerable number
and in addition Technical Institute Cer enen, teachers and scholars.
in the Colony, has been disregarded. tificate in Physics, English (Stage III),' Mathematics (Stage II). He has also building, which is handsome and Probably some settlement of their case
will have to be made before long, such passed the Sanitation Examination of the antial was erected at a cost of
as the establishment of a small school Royal Sanitary Institute and qualified No definite recommenda- for the Associateship of that Institute. no. and is beautifully situated in for their use. Sou-Kan-Poo Valley. It is of two tions are made on this point, which does Mr. Abdullah has passed the Matri- not appear to be of instant importance."culation Examination of the Punjab the lower floor having three The seed of the present school sprang University, taking Arabic as Frooms and the upper floor two, and from the Belilios Public School, where subject. He also holds the Teacher's Certificate of the Education Department, the number of Indian boys under !!
Mr. Dhool, who came to the Colony from are offices for the headmuster and
years of age had, by 1903, increased to
India a few months ago, possesses a know-j esistant master as well as accommo-3 per cent. of the total enrolment of the on for the staff and children. The girls' school. As much with a view to ledge of English, Urdu and Persian,
There are five classes, 4, 5, 6, 7 and purge the Chinese girls' school of this throughout is furnished with the admixture of boys as desiring to benefit which correspond as nearly as possible with similar classes at other Government- dern apparatus and equipment the boys themselves, a school was started Schools. Class 4, the Senior Class, has institution of its kind, and educa- for these Indian bays, with the kind assist been started this term for the first time.
ance of Mr. Areulli, who subscribed over
This points favourably to the time when in it will certainly be imparted 800 towards its cost. It was at first
more senior work will be done. The most pleasant and favourable housed in a separate room at the Belilios numbers in each class are:-Class 4,
Public School. In his annual report for
soven boys; Class 5, nine; Class 6. seven; tions. The site is of generons dimen- 1904 the Director of Education wrote: Class 7, eleven; Class 8, thirteen; Total 47; and there is space for the form- Properly developed it seems likely to An increased attendanco is confidently
three roomy tennis courts besides prove a success, and should in time be expected in the near future.
able to prepare boys for the Upper School Although the chief work of the School accommodation for a general play at Queen's College. It would be a log is the teaching of English subjects, one cal and popular step if Urdu were made lesson every day is given up to Urdu, the a subject in the Indian School." The boys being taught and examined in fschool had then been put under an colloquial as well as in written work. In This should prove of great benefit to the English Mistress, Mrs. Whitehead. 1905 the school was moved into leased boys, as they will be enabled to obtain, Chinese before leaving School, a good knowledge premises; an Indian and a Master were engaged, and Urdu was of both English and Urda. The school made a compulsory subject. The maxi- fees, which have hitherto been $1 each a mum enrolment that year was 44. In month, will from the beginning of next. ships are available as below:-2 Free 1906 Mrs Whitehead resigned and the year be raised to ge à month. Scholar- school was moved to Praya East. These Exhibitions to the top boys in all classes premises were reported in 1907 as most from class 7 unwards; 1 Free Govern unsuitable. They are badly lighted and ment Scholarship tenable for 3 years at very noisy." In 1909 Mr. Bishen Singh, Queen's College, to the top boy of the who is still the senior Indian Master. School; and 1 Ellis Kadeoric Scholarship took charge. By this time the average of $60, tenable for 1 year at Queen's Col- attendance had fallen
The lege, to the second boy in the School. Inspector reported. The grant of a Hitherto the boys have had very few free scholarship to Queen's College ten opportunities of playing games, as no able for 4 years has so far failed to at ground has been available. The new. tract more pupils." During this yeart School, however, provides amply in this the building at respect, so that this department of school | the school lifted to Causeway Bay known as Belilios Refor life will doubtless br enthusiastically matory. but flitted back to Praya East entered upon. I am sure that this school again, where it has stayed ever singe, will be of much benefit to the Indian! By 1911 the average attendance had in community of this Colony, and on behalf creased to 50: in 1912 it was 58, which was of that community and of the Colony the high water mark. In 1912 an exten- generally and of the Government, I have sively signed petition was made by the to tender to Mr. Ellis Kadoorie heartfelt Indian community for a better building thanks for his renewed munificence and than the Chinese fenement house in which public spirit. I now declare this school it has until now been held. It was not to be duly opened. (Applause). possible at that time to comply with His Excellency having opened the door, their request. In 1913 a branch school the company passed into the building, was started on the Kowloon side, but it and inspected the interior with much did not prove successful and was closed interest. Through the kindness of Mr. last year. In 1914 Mr. Kadoorie made Kadoorie tea was served to the company! the offer which led to the erection of the before dispersing. new building. (Applaws)-4
Lai,
THE OPENING,
peuing ceremony took place at front of the building opposite the door. His Excellency was acentn- d by Lady May, and among those at were the Hon. Mr. Claud Severn, aal Secretary, Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Elshop Pozzoni, Mr. E. Balphs, Ictor of Schools, Huon. Mr. W. Chat Director of Public Works, Mr. E. rving. Director of Education, and B. J. Birbeck, headmaster of the The school children were formed
n the verandah.
Ellis Kadoorie, in opening the lags, addressing His Excellency, have very great pleasure in you to accept, on behalf of the nt of Hongkong, this building is my privilege to present to the for the education of Indian boy's. this key to you, and request that you will unlock the door and the building duly · opened. Cause.)
HENRY MAY, in accepting the key Proceeding with the opening cere- I
to 27.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.