CO129-544-6 Junior Technical School- development and preliminary report 29-5-1933 - 16-10-1933 — Page 23

- 5 -

23

1. The Junior Technical School, unlike any secondary

school, will not be concerned with any external

examination. The boys most likely to take top places

in a written examination are those most likely to be

attracted to the clerical occupations.

2. The sons of many dockyard employees would be refused,

and much good material go to waste.

3. The medical statistics show that the most successful

boys at examinations have a low average of physique

and eyesight. Such boys would be most unlikely to be

able to take their place as junior leaders of

industry.

An outstanding feature of the conditions raling at the time was that

no one, even the Director of Education, had any idea of the support

with which the Junior Technical School would be received. The heads

of the engineering industries were whole heartedly in favour, but

even they had some doubts as to whether the foe, 33 monthly, would

not be too much for their employees to pay. It was therefore with

considerable feelings of uncertainty that preliminary arrangements

for opening were made.

(2) PREPARATIONS FOR OPENING THE J.T.S.

In order to ensure a widespread knowledge of the purpose of

the school, a preliminary pamphlet entitled "Education for Industry" (Appendix I) was prepared in English and Chinese, and was circulated

throughout the Colony. Copies were sent direct to the Hon. D. P. W.,

the Dock Companies, H.M. Dockyard, and the Inspectors of Vernacular

Schools. By this means accurate knowledge of the functions of the

Junior Technical School reached at least 500 homes. As the proposed

day of opening approached advertisements were inserted in the English

and Chinese Press, and many enquiries for places were received prior

to the official day fixed for interviews.