CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 139

50 139

8.

an examination for a School Leaving Certificate.

The

Matriculation examination should remain as a means of entry

to the University, and should be only for those who have

every intention if they pass of proceeding to the University.

As the system of entering all pupils in the Senior classes

for the University Examinations would appear to be of value

in preventing possible over attention to brilliant pupils

at the expense of the backward, the schools should, in view

of the recent high percentage of failures in the University

Examinations, endeavour by a high standard of annual

examination to prepare for the outside examinations only

those who have a reasonable prospect of passing.

(c)

That the Vice-Chancellor of the University be

approached with a view to restricting to a reasonable

minimum the study of Chinose classics necessary for the

Local Examinations,

SUBSIDIZED SCHOOLS.

13. The Commissioners have already stated that in their

opinion too much is spent on secondary or higher education

in proportion to the amount spent on elementary or primary

education. They would therefore deprecate a policy of

curtailment of subsidies to private vernacular schools.

Rather they would urge an ipcrease of subsidies as soon as

the finances of the Colony permit. The ultimate ideal to

be kept in view is free elementary education for all.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEADS OF SCHOOLS.

14.

In the larger schoola the Head has the services of a

clerk, and, if the present system remains operative, the same

method should be applied to Belilios Public School, where the

Head now utilizes the full time services of a Mistress. Under

existing conditions the Heads of Schools in addition to