CO129-553-12 Education- report of Mr Burney's visit 28-3-1935 - 7-8-1936 — Page 32

32

2.

I asked him to what course of study the book was supposed

to be introductory I could get no clear answer. But

apparently the book covers only a portion of one of the

alternative history courses for the school certifioste!

When I pointed out that only 8 out of 145 pages were

devoted to the history of the world since 1870, while 24

pages were devoted to the history of Greece and Rome he

said that special local conditions justified more

attention being paid to ancient civilisations than to

current events. I could not get from him a cleɛr ides

of these local conditions to which he referred.

Appareelly

no provision is made in the course for Civics or for any

kendunt of the administrative machinery in Hong Kong. it.

is not considered desirable to interest Hong Kong students

too much in political and administrative questions! I

could get no clear ideas as to the place occupied by

Empire history in the course as a whole.

I expect all this is painfully familiar to you.

I hope most sincerely hat some simplification of courses

will result eventually from your report and this reminder

+