Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 81

Sessional Papers 議政定例兩局文件 All

78

Boys should be taught to think out carefully the meaning of the entire piece set for translation, and of its several parts in their connection, before putting pen to paper. Some who failed rendered correctly a few detached sentences, and might with a little more care have passed.

Chinese to English.-In the Lower Classes many boys had committed to memory, and were able to reproduce, the renderings given to them by the Masters; whilst in the higher classes there were, in a few instances, laudable efforts at independent versions. The value of the answers would have been greater had candidates relied less on the English phrases learned in class, and more on the work done in the preparation of the lessons. That few boys are really competent to translate Chinese into English may be seen from the results of the extra prize examination. For this a sight passage was selected from the Chinese Classic of History. Twelve boys sent in papers. Two had really under- stood the piece and rendered it into fairly good English, securing 70 and 80 marks respectively out of a hundred. No other boy obtained more than 50 per cent.

Chinese School. In the Chinese school marks were not awarded. All papers sent in were first examined and annotated by the native provincial graduate who assisted in this part of the examination. Those from each class were then distributed in three groups, according as they were adjudged to be of higher, medium or lower merit. There was a final selection of papers to show the best work done by each class.

The percentage of passes for the Chinese school is-Essay 30, Letter 45, Literature 30, Prosody 32, Antithetic Couplets 55.

Assuming that examinations in the Chinese school are to be conducted on lines similar to those laid down for the holding of such examinations throughout China, we would call attention to the following points :---

1. Papers should be stamped for identification. Boys should not be allowed to bring into the Examination Room pieces of writing paper not uniform in size purchased at differ- ent shops. Paper of the proper kind should on the day of the examination be issued to candidates who might be charged the cost price.

2. Boys should be required to write single characters in the proper spaces.

3. In the Chinese school answers should be written in the order of the questions. Trigonometry.--One boy in I. C, b. took an easy paper in Trigonometry up to the Solution of Triangles, and produced accurate and fairly complete answers.

Pupil Teachers.-We examined the Pupil Teachers in their Practical and Theoretical Work, and were satisfied that they are able to give practical assistance to the Staff.

Drawing.-Classes IV., V. and VI. were examined in Map Drawing. The best work of each class is highly creditable. Some very good specimens of Freehand Drawing, the work of the best boys, were exhibited to the examiners, but no marks were assigned.

Finally, while we recognise in the work of individual boys evidence of sound and careful teaching, the general efficiency of the work appeared to us to be small. We think that boys are pushed on too rapidly, and we feel sure that more attention should be given to the teaching and the study of English. We believe that much good might be effected, and the standard of efficiency raised, if the ability and energy of the European Staff were directed more to the Chinese boys. And we are not confident that it is for the welfare of the School, or in the interests of the education of the Chinese, that the Non-Chinese boys should be in separate classes, and consequently the whole time of two European Masters given entirely to them.

We are pleased to be able to report very favourably on the discipline of the School and the general orderly behaviour of the boys. Lastly, our thanks are due to the Head Master and the Assistant Masters for their ready coöperation with us in all matters where we needed their assistance.

We have the honour,

Gentlemen,

to be your obedient Servants,

R. F. COBBOLD, M.A.,

THOMAS W. PEARCE, Examiners,

To the

GOVERNING BODY OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE.

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.