392
22
This provision is essential in order that the cost of the Staff and other charges should, in so far as it exceeds that of the other Anglo-Chinese Schools, fall on the scholars and not on the ratepayers.
TORY.
THE NEW TERRITORY,
66. In considering what education should be provided for the New Territory, due regard must be paid to its financial position, which is that of a debtor to the Colony, with no immediate prospect of freedom from the obligation. The lack of good communications in this barren and mountainous country must also be taken into consideration, as well as the poverty of its inhabitants.
Despite all drawbacks, over 4,000 out of a total of 17,500 male children under 16 years of age are in attendance at Private Schools, of which there are over two hundred, and pay fees averaging 20 cents to 30 cents a month. This spontaneous desire for education deserves all possible encouragement.
67. A scheme has elsewhere been formulated for assisting the present schools. with a Grant: but it appears probable that this expedient would result, not in raising the pay of the teachers and in due course their qualifications as well, but in a reduction of the school-fees; and would thus tend to discourage a praiseworthy self-reliance, without benefiting education. Further, it is certain that any direct attempt to induce the present teachers to adopt new methods would b: futile, and night give rise to unfortunate misunderstandings. On the other hand any hasty attempt to supplant private schools by Government schools would be sure to rouse the hostility of the teachers, who would be thrown out of employment, and would no doubt use all their influence to thwart the change; and for this reason and owing to the need for economy, a quiet and unobtrusive beginning is required.
68. To improve Vernacular Education the Government must rely chiefly on indirect means, making use of the undoubted desire that exists to learn English. A few Anglo-Chinese Schools should be opened in the most populous centres; and Vernacular Schools, in which a good education should be given by competent and progressive teachers, should be linked to them. Fees should be charged at least equal to those that are usual in the neighbourhood. Admission to the Anglo- Chinese Schools should be granted only to boys who have passed an examination in Chinese. At first the examination should only test the proficiency of the boys' studies according to the old-fashioned methods of teaching Chinese, but gradually its scope can be enlarged until it becomes a real test of the candidate's ability to read and write his language. Anxiety on the part of their pupils to obtain admission to the Anglo-Chinese Schools will necessarily compel teachers: of Private Vernacular Schools to modify their system of instruction so as to accord with the requirements of the entrance examinations. The Government Vernacular Schools will no doubt be well attended for the same reason, and they will act as model schools for the neighbourhood. If the experiment is successful, Government Vernacular Schools may be opened in the principal market-towns; but at its fullest development it is not probable that more than three Anglo-Chinese Schools and twelve Vernacular Schools will be required.
To commence with, it will suffice to open Anglo-Chinese Schools at Ten Long and Sheung Shui, and to attach Vernacular Schools to them.
No unnecessary expense should incurred on them until their success is assure·1; in the first instance school-houses should be rented not built, and the staff should be limited to one master to each school.
FEMALE EDUCATION.
69. The time has not come for assisting female education in the New Territory.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.