317
13. The cost of each pupil to Government during the past year ranges from $6.66 at the Belilios Public School, Vernacular Side, to $126.32 at Uen Long and $124.12 at Victoria British School. The average cost to Government of the 3 District Schools is $18.70 as compared with $30.81 at Queen's College. The proportionately larger cost of ench pupil at Yaumati School is accounted for by the fact that there are two European
masters at that school as against one at. Saiyingpun.
New Schools, and Schools Closed.
14. No new schools have been opened during the past year. The cost of Uen Long School has increased to such an extent owing to the poor attendance that its immediate closure has been recommended.
Kowloon British School.
15. The average attendance dropped from 55 in 1906 to 17 this year, chiefly through the withdrawal of a number of children, whose fathers belong to the military establishment, on the opening of the New Garrison English School in June last. The fees also decreased from $2,101.50 in 1906 to $1.493.00 for the same reason. The maximum enrolment however exceeded that of the previous year by 10. The withdrawal of several children whose parents were returning to England assisted in still further reducing the numbers.
16. During the absence on home leave of Mr. R. JAMES, the head-master, the school was under the charge of the headmistress Mrs. MAIN and its efficiency has been well maintained.
Victoria British School.
17. At Victoria School the average attendance remains at the same figure (44) as in 1900 in spite of a somewhat longer vacation in the summer. The attendance has always been so poor in the hot months that it was considered advisable to increase the summer holidays this year from 6 weeks to 2 months and to curtail the Christmas holidays pro- portionately. The new plan seems to work well and the school has not lost in efficiency through its adoption.
18. The draining of the swampy land around the school has now been completed and it has been decided to convert the bamboo plantation immediately below the school into a play-ground. The headmaster's quarters are being enlarged by the addition of two new rooms above the present quarters. A few months more should suffice to rid Victoria School entirely of its bad reputation from a sanitary point of view.
19. The Cadet Corps now numbers 16 in all. 10 Members attended camp where their stay however was very short as the school had only just re-opened after a lengthy summer vacation when the Volunteers went into camp. Signalling remains the important work of the Corps. Next year it is hoped to start a Bugle Band if the numbers continue to increase.
20. Candidates for the Preliminary Oxford Local Examination were presented for the first time in the history of the School in July and all of thein, 4 in number, passed.
Belilios Public School, Anglo-Chinese Side.
The figures are
21. There is a marked increase in the average attendance for the year. 108 as compared with 82 in 1906. The fees have also increased by $400. The increase in numbers is chiefly due to the larger attendance of Non-Chinese girls.
22. The school has up to the present time been divided into two sections, one Non- Chinese and the other Chinese. At the annual inspection it was found that the work of the Chinese section was not up to the required standard. Objection was also taken to several matters of discipline and organization in the Chinese section and as a result it was decided to remodel the school, retaining the old class divisions as far as possible. Under the new arrangement the headmistress takes the first and second classes only and supervises the rest of the school more thoroughly, the 1st Assistant Mistress takes Classes III, IV and V, English and Chinese divisions, and the 3 Junior Assistant teachers are in charge of Classes VI, VII and VIII respectively under the direct supervision of the head-
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