1930-10-11 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1930.

CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS.

WANING BRITISH INFLUENCE.

REMARKABLE COMPARISONS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

In this article I propose to con sider the Estimates for the Educa- tion Department, fullowing a sum- mary of the position with regard ta education, as given in certain articles which appeared in May.

Let me say, as the start, that I fully realise the difficultion of the

EXPENDITURE.

The grant-in-aid secondary schools educated 4,058 scholars in the same year at a cost to Govermnant of $129,270.

In the second article comments were made upon the Salaries Com- mission's Report, and it was said rate of exchange

that at any

On the staff of eighteen there are seven full time and two part time Britishers (four Mastora, four Mi tresses, and ong Matron), three

was one

ESCAPED CONVICTS

RECAPTURED.

Twe convicts, Chan Yea. and Lo Luck Cheung, both long-term pri soners, who escaped, from Victoria. Gool on Thursday have both boon re-captured. The former was caught a few minutes "after" scaling "the 30-foot prison wall, but the latter had one whole night of freedom for

day that he was found in a brothel in West Point.

Local Mastors with Degrees, three SHORT SPELL OF LIBERTY. vernacular Masters, and two part- time vernacular, Masters, and one clork In the case of St. Joseph's College, with an average attendance of 672 in 1929, the total capitation grant was only $23,100 for the year Three Senior Masters get 247,250 between them. Thoro Senior Master in 1930, $10,500.

A Junior English Master begins is 8643 por month, or $7.740 per annum, which is approximately $1,500 more than the Total Annual grant paid by the Government, as capitation grants in 1028, to much

(83,389, average attendance 234). and the Diocesan Girls School it has bean ascertained that two men wore seen walking up and (80,204, average attendance 224).

down the street outside the prison for some time before the escape, Suddenly one of them shouted

A school when it loses, say, 25 per cent. of its income in a day. as same schools did in 1925, cannot pay off its staff at once, nor cant £500 per annum, which at 1/31It was not till about 8 n.m. yester it be expected to meet losses of thousands of dollars on exchange, The fees of at least one school, with a British stall, have been increased,

per cent. for scholars and 85 boarders; there has been no in- crease in the Government grant.

The Escapo,

The prisoners had outside help in

Gavernment, and many of the cir. the suggested Government sterling since 1910, by 40 per cent for day schools as the French Convent their attempt to escape from prison

cumstances which has ariscu in connection with salaries, etc., but I doubt if the Government and the Colony realise the starvation of the grant-in-aid schools, and especially of those schools which employ. British staffs.

Bupport British Schools! There schools, it would appear, could very well receive immediate help, at a time when British in- tereita domand Empire-wide sup-

Home port; the

Country, the Colonies, and friendly neighbours all benefit. To support such British ..schoola would not cost the Govern- ment very much. For example, & school with about three hundred boys on the register, and with a good British staff, if adequately supported, might cost the Govern ment $25,000 to $35,000 instead of 210,000 now; a girls' school might cost $17,000 to 820,000 instead of $7,000.

I

There are very few such schools in the Colony now under the grant ayatem, about five or six, I think; three or four of these have never employed many British teachers; their grants, therefore, based on cost would not be so high as the grants above indicated. -estimate that to charge the whole :system for such schools would cost the Government not

more than $50,000 to $70,000 per annum.

Further, these schools, properly supported, would eventually save the Government the cost of build ing a second King's College in Kowloon, at a cost of over one

per-

million dollars; they would also save the Government many thousands of dollara annually in salaries. Later in this article it will be seen that the Government increase in sonul emoluments in the Education Department in 1031 will be 6000,000, no increase of 60 per cent. The grant-in-aid schoole, including such. schools with British staffa,. are estimated to get no increase; the grants and the system will be the same as those allowed in 1910.

Summary of Recent Articles. The writer of the articles publish- ed last May, after showing the great cost of Government secondary schools, made a special appeal for mere liberal support by the Govern ment of the grant-in-aid schools, and especially of schools with British staffs. He suggested that the system of grants should be based on the "cost" of maintain. ing schools and not on

heads,"

He also showed how schools with British staffe received. the same grants as schools with European and Chinese staffs.

It should also be noted that such schools receive no help for losses incurred, for example, in the strike- boycott in 1925, and for the great loss on exchange incurred through the extra cost of passagen and sterling salaries on furlough. Staffe in certain grant-in-aid. schools ro ceive sterling salaries at $10 to the pound; the schools cannot afford to increase their salaries or to give exchange compensation.

In May it was said: "My con- clusion is that the Colony does not realise the position as regards edu- cation."

Capitation or Cost?

salaries could easily bear a little reduction. The Colony cannot afford to pay such salaries when its return in the form of fees at Government schools and its taxa- tion are so small.

Excessive Salaries.

The Senior Inspectors of Verna- cular Schools salaries of 2000, rising to £1,000, were maintained The be unnecessarily high. to same was said about the salaries of mistresses, home and local, and certain salaries for non-British staffs were said to be somewhat extravagant and unnecessary. The conclusion of this article suggested that the Government should pre- pare a rough Budget showing (1) What the Education Department will cost when the increased pen- sions begin; (2) How these new scales are likely to affect non- Government schools, and how much the Government may justly be ex- pected to pay in increased grants to such schools; (3) How the De- partment hopes to extend education- in the Colony, if it is going to cost so much to educate such small numbers...

Bystem of Grants. :

In the third and final article on detailed comparison was made be Education policy in Hong Kong a

tween the grants, etc., paid to Eng lish grant schools in Hong Kong uided schools in the Straite Settle. and the grants paid to English

ments.

Bome Suggestions,

In the Straits Settlements and in other parts of the British Em pire the grants are based on the cost of cduoeation.

Some Remarkable Comparisons, The Headmistress of the Bolillos Girls' School, 814,250, or 81.187 por

month.

This 814,250 is. approximately double the amounts paid as total ananal grants to the above-men- tioned girls' schools:

In England two systems have been tried in recent years

A Senior Mistress gets 811,250, (i.) Non-Government schools, such

is local grammar-schools, etc., or 8937.50 per month.. In one case used to receive a capitation it would appear that a husband and grant from the Board of wife draw antaries of 89,502 per Education, London. This dit month between them, that is if the not cover the cost of educa lady is on the permanent staff. If tion, particularly after the only on the local staff, their joint establishment of the Burnham salaries will be 82,041.60 per month, scale for teachers, in Govern- which is more than doublo, per ment schools and Church month, the capitation grant paid to Foundations, and a deficiency a grant-in-aid school with 250 grant was paid by the local scholars, and which is considerably education authorities in the more than half the total salary roll proportion of five-seventha per month of such a boys school. from the city (or town) and Mistresses begin at £300, which at two-sevenths from the county.ls. 4d, is 8450 per month. (H.) Within the last three yeara The Head Teacher of the Verna- the London Board has in-cular Middle School gets a salary augurated a policy which of £500, rising to E050. The pre- throws all schools that are not sent-head gets 89,750 (1930, 88,300).. a strong independent What is not understandable is financial position into the why this salary should be a sterling hands of the local education salary? When the dollar goes up, authorities and the Gover- there may be a demand for a higher nors of schools are requested sterling salary, which at present is by the city (or town) authe- unnecessarily high. rity to forego their direct grant from the Board, which henceforth becomes a block grant to the authorities; the only grant such non-Govern- ment schools get now comes from the authorities in the old proportion, and is based on rust, and not on sérvice. "hoado."

in

Vernacular Masters,

All the salaries of the Vornacular Masters appear to be high, and it will never be possible for the grant schools to pay more than half, the salaries now paid to Government Vernacular Masters after ten years'

In 1930 in Government schools amounted to 878,070.

There is no one about," and thero- upon flung a rope over the wall.. A few minutes later the two prison- ers appeared and jumped some thirty feet to the street.

Bandsman C, Deeks of the Somer. set Light Infantry happened to bo in the vicinity, and, rushing to the scene, tackled the men. The odds were against him, and be was forced to let to go, but retained his bold on Chan, who was later handed over to the authorities. The accomplices made good their escape.

Sentenced for Bobbery. Chan and Le bad been sentenced together to imprisonment for four and five years respectively, for robbery under arms on November 10, 1929. They were believed to have been meinbers of a band of about 30 who committed several rob- beries with violence about that time.

LOCAL PROBATES.

THREE CHINESE ESTATES PROVED.

Estate in Hong Kong to the value

Under the scheme for grant-in-aid schools in the Straits the salaries are fixed by the Government, and allowances are made for leave, passages, and repairs to buildings;

This is the only fair and reason. there were 89 Masters whose salaries of $28,000 was left by Teong Yuct, subsidien are also given for Cadotable system for Hong Kong, which Corns and Boy Scouts. The grants depends so much for its education are paid monthly. In Hong Kong upon pioneer Church schools. grants are sometimes, but by no

For example, in Kowloon, with incans always, given towards build-

1

In 1931 there will be 82, costing alias Tseung Kin Ho, aliay Tseung 8136,078.

In a Government Schoot a Ver Yan Tak, alias Tsoung (or Cheung) nacular Master, after ten years Yuet Wo, lime merchant, who died inge and science equipment. In its ever-growing population, with service, gets 82,550 a year, or 8201 at No. 48, Western Street on the Straits grants are given for approximately one hundred and a month. In one of the lending November 3, last year. Probate of

senior. schools the buildings, science equipment, other fifty to two hundred thousand peo- grant-in- equipment, furniture, and for the ple and one hundred thousand more Vernacula Master, with ton years the will has been graated to the pairs to existing buildings. Having ment has no secondary school for maximum salary. A Government essay Rond. Deccused carried on maintainance of and structural re. in the New Territories, the Govern- service gets 8110 which is his, widow, Tsoung Lo Shi, of 211, Ren

only Vernacular Master

Can after now summarised what was written Government secondary school is the twenty-eight to thirty years' service, uusiness under the name of the Yuet!

in May, let us now examine the

ESTIMATES FOR 1931.

Personal Emoluments

941,803

in 1931 are ..........$1,410,311 in 1830 they are.... that is, an increase of $300,000, which is an increase of 50 per cent. (to be exact, 40.8).

scholars. non-British

Central British School.

The

So much for the capitation grant ystern in the Estimates for 1931. Now let us take a few more items.

Some questions. With a salary of $19,490, that ia 81,625 per month (in 1930 That is, we can safely assume 513,200) is it necessary to give the that to educate approximately 2,986 Acting Director of Education a scholars in Government, secondary conveyanco allowance of $360 per schoole in 1931 is going to cost them? Government approximately $600,000. In 1029 it was $410,000, as shown above. The Blue Book for 1929 is not published yet; hence the rea son for quoting 1928.

Capital Grants to Non-Govern ment second schools are:-

1930..............8139,000

1831

.....135,000

get a salary of 8500 per month. Wo firm, at Ping Chow Island, and How can the grant-in-air schools leaves everything, including the afford to get good Vernacular Masters when financial circum business, to the family. stances are stich that they can never hope to pay anything approaching the standard of salaries paid in Government Schools 1.

CONCLUSION,

Chan Liu Shi, who died at No. 60, Yu Chau Street, Shamshuipo, on March 21, this year, left local estate worth 891,500. Probate of the will has been granted to Chan Tung Lun (son) na the sole executor and overy- thing is bequeathed to the executor. and his sisters.

Mui Ki for Ken) Lin, married woman late of No. 1, Devon Road, Kowloon Tong, who died on April 12, 1030, left Hong Kong estate which has been valued at $14,900. Probate of the will has been grant- "cost."ed to her husband's older brother,

Prizes $1,000. Could not those be If the Government sets and gives" given by private donations or be such standards, and increases the abolished in these times of stress1 cost of education so much, it can

How many students-in-training not expect the grant-in-aid schools are there? They cost $17,500 per to carry on at all, under its present anaum. The grants to these stud- doleful system, of grants based on cats, about 81,240 per student per

bonda

and not on annum, are in the opinion of the Certain it is that the grant schools writer, too liberal.

cannot increase their fees any Hok Hai Library, $1,000. Could more; certain it is that they will not this library depend upon not get either home or local staffs, if they cannot give some in- private donora?

Compensation to railway for creases in salarios and some allow- school children's tickets, 82,000. Isance for loss on exchange and this necessary, and who are the certain it is that the British in- Parents who benefit thereby, and luence, which certain schools in Hong Kong have bad for very many. what face do they pay at school t

Building Grants, $2,000. Could years in all parts of the Far East, cost the Government approximately more liberal assistance be given to will disappear, $155,000. In 1928 it was $120,276, grant schools 1...... as shown above,

There is no increase. The de crease may be accounted for by slightly less numbers (estimated)..

educate

That is, we can safely assume that to

approximately 1,059 sehelars in Non-Government sccundary schools in 1931 is going to

There has been no increase in the capitation grants since 1810 The system was wrong then, it is more so now.

Weakness of Grant Bystem. The weaknesses of the system are easily scan

(a) If teachers of experience stay

Inspectors Salaries.

In 1930, there were three Inspec-

Disappearing British Influance. The following figures taken from the Census Return for 1821, dealing tors of Vernacular Schools; the cost with the occupations of the non- was $21,000. In 1931 there are four Chinese population, epeak for them inspectors, and the cost is $44,645. selves - Their salaries begin at 2000 and.

ride to £900 by £80 annually, then. to £1,000 by 240

Four points ariso (A) Is it neces:

on at a school, their anlarlessary to appoint a fourth inspector.

increase but the grant remains the same.

at a time of retrenchment

(B)

*ky "* Why should three Chinese inspectors.

A boys school receives the samo grant as a girls' school. (c). A boys school with a British staff receives the same grant as a girls' school or a convent with non-British staff European, Chinese, eter

The following is a very brief summary of the articles:-In the Bret it was pointed out that there had been an Acting-Director of) Education for a long period during recent years, and that there seemed to be a lack of policy in the system of education, and especially in the graula given to the grant-in-aid schools. The system of the grants is out-of-date, and poor salaries are paid to the staffs in these schools, The system is to pay schools megre grants of so much per bead per annum without any regard to the of cost!" of education.

(d) No encouragement is given.

PROFESSIONS.

(locally engaged) be paid in sterling Education ut the rule of exchange1 Should Religion not the salaries be fixed in dollara 1. (C) Is it necessary to pay such high salaries avon at a two shilling | dollar?

Total...

British

Portuguese,

Others.

.23

120

35 124"

922149

Sheung Ming and her busband, Chung Po, both of Chine Build- The bequests are of a family

nature.

RADIO LICENCES-

INCREASED.

the

The Wireless Telegraphy Regula tions made by the Governor. n Council and published in Gazette pt July 20, 1999, have been further amended as follows

(1) Regulation 14 is amended as follows: pawn a slight

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(2) In Form No.4, Dealer's licence, conditions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and

are rescinded.

Beek Advice From London, There is one other item in the Estimates to which I must refer, is. Contribution to cost of Ad visory Committee of Education in the Colonies, £210 (82,180)..

Could the Government seek advice from this Committen, which is a Committee of experts in education and in colonial administration1.

*This Agure includes priests and inen and women in Religious orders Headmastors Salarleg.

Omitting Japanese and Portu to schools which employ The Headmasters of Queen's and gucae, it will be seen that is the British staff; for example, King's Colleges receive salaries of schools, etc., of the Colony (includ- Government and Church there are o grauts towards $10,400 each, that is 81,625 per ing passages, furlough and pen-month (in 1000, 813,200) 819,409 is schools, etc.) there wore, in 1921, sions. A school with a locally approximately double the total 190 Britishers and 140 other Nation engaged and non-British anual capitation grant paid by alities staff receives the same grants the Government to the Diocesan I repeat, and again ask the Gov-Governors and Churchmen attend as a school with a staff engag Boys' School in 1928 (80,887 average ernment. Can it on its way to the meetings, and His Excellency

Acere England The Into ASASTIANSTADE LIZA Utingatin

grant-in-ald schools according the Governor of Hong Kong attend come, Apancial assistance in ell per annum of this latter school to the cost

given in troublous times. The T-10-1 understand, approximately school under the same rate according to the repost in Veluma schoole with British staffs are 843,000 (including messing allow which is now in force in England, No. 4, July 1900, of Oversea hit most then, eg, in the nices for five Resident Masters and and in other parts of the British Education, a Journal of Educa

tional Experiment and Research in Strike-boycott in 1925-1920, one Matrom. Quarters are provid-Empire!

Tropical and Subtropical Areas

If the grant-in-aid schools were more liberally supported; scholars could still receive education, ata they wild avses much than the cost at present in Govern

ment schools we a

The cost in 1928 of educating 9,786 scholars (averago attendance) in Government secondary schools was $410,500.

and when the dollar falls. ed for six members of the staff. (Continued at foot of next column.)

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