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of schools and the various districts in the New Territories, was formed. This council, based on the model of the Grant Schools Council, will help to break down the present isolation of many of the schools, will maintain close liaison with the Education Department and should facilitate the diffusion of modern educational ideas.

It is the Government's hope that these rural schools when equipped with radio and cinema will become centres of community life, a hope which may well be realized in view of the practical assistance and financial support given by village elders in the expansion of rural schooling. During the year new primary schools were opened at Shek O on Hong Kong Island, and at Nam Wai and Ma On Kong on the mainland. The Ma On Kong school was built by the private subscriptions of villagers in collaboration with the Government on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Pupils and teachers from a one-roomed school in a neighbouring village were transferred to the new school, and thus one large school with greater educational facilities replaced two small, uneconomical schools. Pupils from rural primary schools are given the opportunity of secondary education at Yuen Long Public Middle School and at the recently extended Roman Catholic Mission School, Sai Kung.

Private schools, of which there are 611 in the urban areas and 43 in the rural districts, comprise 64% of the schools in the Colony and provide education for 65% of the school population. The number of private schools increased by 56 during the year and their enrolment from 108,000 to 120,954. The majority of these schools give only primary education in Chinese but there are 169 with middle school classes, 34 Anglo-Chinese day schools, and 48 Anglo-Chinese night schools. The private schools vary considerably in size and efficiency but play an important part in the Colony's educational system. by inspectors are more frequent than formerly and income and expenditure accounts are carefully examined before monthly fees are agreed upon.

The schools have learned to welcome and value the advice given by the inspectors.

Visits

The Education Department has increased the number of schools and pupils directly under its charge to 35 schools with almost 14,000 pupils. As a result of the reorganization of Anglo-Chinese schools, six Government junior Anglo-Chinese schools are gradually becoming Chinese primary schools while, in September, King's College was restored to its pre-war status as an Anglo-Chinese secondary school.

Progress has been made in education for citizenship. Schools are encouraged to take their senior pupils on visits to Government departments, commercial undertakings and the Law Courts, and every assistance has been given in these ventures by the departments and firms concerned. A complete course in Civics has been published for use in

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