ENG-1955 — Page 122

Chapter 8: Education

Education in Hong Kong is voluntary, and there is great public demand for it. 37% of all the schools in the Colony are either run directly by the Government or assisted by government grants and subsidies. Government assistance is given also to private schools in the shape of grants of land on favourable terms, and interest-free loans.

The number of schools and total enrolment on 30 June 1955 were as follows:

Government

Schools

Pupils Teachers

45

21,016

613

Grant-aided

19

14,554

605

Subsidized

333

55,553

1,834

Private

753

154,430

6,393

Special Afternoon Classes

16,497

1,150 262,050 9,445

Apart from the University of Hong Kong, which is an independent body, all colleges, schools and other institutions of learning are subject to the provisions of the Education Ordinance, 1952. The Director of Education, who, under the Ordinance, has general control over education in the Colony, is chairman of the Board of Education, which has various statutory powers. Its members are appointed by the Governor. The Director is required to keep a register of schools, teachers, and managers of schools, and to ensure that satisfactory standards are maintained in respect of school buildings, methods of enforcing discipline, the keeping of registers and accounts, the payment of fees, and the proper conduct and efficiency of schools and teachers.

The Government directly maintains 27 primary schools, 10 secondary schools, 2 technical schools, a technical college, 2 teacher-training colleges, and 3 evening institutions. The average age of entering and leaving government primary schools is a little over six and thirteen respectively, and for secondary schools just over thirteen and nineteen.

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Under the terms of the Grant Code, the Government aids selected schools by paying the difference between the approved expenditure of a school and its income from fees and other sources. This approved expenditure includes salaries, leave