Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 482

336

16

When English is once thoroughly mastered, there is access to the whole of the culture of Europe, and no need for mental gymnastics.

(F.) Promotion from Class to Class should be slower, more regular, and depen- dent on no considerations other than the ability of the students promoted.

In Queen's College the numbers in attendance fluctuate largely; and there is an unfortunate tendency to fill up the gaps thus caused in the higher Classes by making promotions solely or chiefly to this end.

If through natural causes the numbers in the higher classes become reduced, it is better that they should remain so, and that the revenue of the school should fall, than that boys should be pressed forward before the natural time of their promotion.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

40. The Auglo-Chinese District Schools which should be conducted generally ou the lines prescribed in Part II, may be expected to relieve the overcrowding at Queen's College, as well as to provide a somewhat less advanced education at a lower cost.

41. The Vernacular District Schools have for long been treated as if there were no natural connection between them and the Anglo-Chinese Schools, even when the two were held under the same roof. In view of this, the following recommendation is made:

Vernacular District Schools should be established in connection with Anglo-Chinese District Schools, and linked to them; and opportunities should be given by scholarships or otherwise, enabling the more intelligent of the boys after passing through the Vernacular Schools to continue their education in the Anglo-Chinese Schools attached.

One advantage to be gained by linking these classes of schools is, that so it will be possible to employ Chinese Composition Masters to teach the Chinese Language in both their presumable lack of Western Knowledge will matter little, as instruction in that branch can be given in both schools by the English-teaching Chinese masters. Another advantage of the "linked system" is that continuity of education is as-

sured.

42. The salaries of the English-teaching Chinese masters are inadequate. They should be made equal to those proposed for the Chinese masters at Queen's College.

43. Boys desirous of entering the Anglo-Chinese Schools from Private Schools must pass the Examination laid down in section 38 A.

Boys who have previously passed the Fifth Standard at a Vernacular District or Grant School might be excused this entrance examination.

44. English masters should be engaged to give instruction in English and Western Knowledge in the Anglo-Chinese Schools; it should also be their duty to supervise the work of the Chinese masters.

Great importance is attached to this recommendation. It is at present impos- sible to find the required number of Chinese masters capable of teaching Western Knowledge or English, or even translation to and from Chinese, in a satisfactory manner without constant supervision.

The proportion between the numbers of masters (both English and Chinese) and scholars should be those recommended for the Anglo-Chinese Grant Schools below.

GRANT SCHOOLS.

45. Assistance under the Code is at present refused to Private Schools, i.e., schools where admission is restricted, and to schools which are carried on with a view to private emolument-Adventure Schools.