ENG-1955 — Page 130

EDUCATION

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ment, the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies, and by private night schools.

The Evening Institute now has 30 urban classes in English, for which there is an increasing demand; 19 classes for a general background course consisting of Chinese, English, civics, arithmetic, and general knowledge; and 20 classes of a general practical nature, which include instruction in woodwork, housecraft, sewing and knitting. With other classes, the total enrolment in September came to 2,838, of whom 1,908 were men and 930 women. The enrolment of the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies, which provides 3-year courses in arts, commerce and journalism, was 479, of whom 262 were men and 217 women.

During the year ending 30 June 1955 37 new buildings or extensions were opened, providing accommodation for 11,740 pupils, 9,010 of them at the primary stage. Towards the cost of two of these buildings, required for government schools, generous contributions were made by private individuals. Accommodation for a further 11,000 pupils was provided by permitting increases in classroom accommodation, encourag- ing the two-sessional system, and by other measures under the seven-year plan. Though it is increasingly necessary that primary schools should work in two sessions, it is hoped that secondary schools will not have to adopt this system.

There were 1,992 entries for the English School Certificate Examination, an increase of 234 over last year, and 1,491 entries for the Chinese School Certificate Examination, an increase of 179. The syndicates responsible for these two examinations are helping to maintain and improve the standards of secondary education in the Colony.

There were 1,104 entries for the Schools Music Festival, as compared with 68 in 1949, and the competitors were highly praised by the adjudicator, Dr. Herbert Wiseman, Vice- Chairman of the British Federation of Music Festivals. The standard of performance in the Inter-School Dramatic Com- petition, which is keenly contested every year, has shown marked improvement. Prize-winners' concerts and the winning plays of these two competitions formed part of the Hong Kong Festival of the Arts, and 150 paintings by school children were on display at the Festival Art Centre.

Interest in sports and games, in which girls are taking an increasing part, was as keen as ever, and the New