Feb. 18.
The Shanghai Municipal Council did well when, in 1934, it opened the Public School for Junior Boys in new premises in Tifeng Road. Established in 1923 that institution had begun modestly as a branch of the Public School in North Szechuen Road. 'The growth of the Western District gave it a natural scope for} expansion, 'The removal to Tifeng. Road resulted therefore in a steady' increase in numbers. The school roll has 310 names of boys aged from seven to nineteen and representing twenty-seven nationalities. Ina sense therefore its name is now inappropriate for it actually cares for the whole of the boy's education until the time comes for him to embark on the adventure of making his way in the world. Tt is a Shanghai School for Shanghai boys in that its pupils regard Shanghat as their home and the source of their livelihood. The Council is Justified in claiming that the policy. of encouraging the employment of coal talent and local brains in its own service receives good support from the education offered in Tifeng Road. No problem is more vital to the Shanghai-born foreigner than that of ensuring the provision of educational facilities which will enable him {o take his full share in the development of his native clty—whether in offlelal,—commercial or professional occupations. 'The day is past when the foreign boy in Shanghai could] comfortably feel that the ball was) at his fect the moment he indicated his desire to kick it, He' has to study the market. decide where the greater opportunities lie' and, above all, arm himself at every point to meet severe competition. The more: necessary is it that institutions charged to educate his} youth and adolescence should be fully supported and equipped.
The Tifeng Rd. School's achievement is authoritatively approved by the Superintendent of Education in this passage of the annual report, for 1936:
Whilst the academic eurrleulum is developing successfully physical education" is xravely" defective. There Isat the school no pi round large enough for' foot ba cricket or hockey, The small compound is overcrowded and. affords room for the constant. practice in ball games without which boys cannot acquire the skill that is their heed and delight. Nor is there a gymnasium to. compensate for the Tack of a playing field. The! Masters, as im past years. devoted much time to making the best of the Yimited facilities available but odd matches and ann tial sports are no. substitute for daily. physical training and a regular schedule of organized games.
By the kindness of friends fttul use of grounds for games has been enjoyed but it requires little imagitation and less educational experience to form the opinion that! 1 school working in such conditions is terribly handicapped. The Tifeng Road boys have done well. In four years they have produced three! winners of Henry Lester Scholarships. In the Royal Drawing' Society Fxamination 65 of their 67 candidates were successful, 59 gaining honours. The Superintendent's Report, however, bears sufficient testimony to the educational pro-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.