APPENDIX E 343 



APPENDIX E 



GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, PORT BLAIR 



The daily average number of pupils on the rolls of the Settlement schools 

 for 1900 was 229 — 190 boys and 39 girls. The daily percentage of attendance 

 was about 92 of both sexes. 



Of the former attending the schools, 133 were the children of free persons 

 and ex-convicts, and the remainder were of convict parentage. With the 

 exception of 6, all the girls were of the latter class. 



Inquiry shows that the percentage of boys attending the schools, born of 

 free parents, is about 36 to the 20 born of convict parents, who remove their 

 sons from school immediately the compulsory limit of age (12 years) is 

 passed. 



The number of schools in the Settlement is seven, and the teaching staff 

 consists of — six vernacular masters, including a gymnastic instructor, one 

 assistant English master, fifteen vernacular assistant teachers and monitors, 

 five sewing masters and mistresses, one carpenter, and a blacksmith. 



The highest class in the English is the fifth, and in the vernacular school 

 the sixth, in which mensuration and transliteration from Urdu into Roman 

 characters are taught. The curriculum adopted is that in vogue in the Punjab. 

 All vernacular education, as well as instruction, in the Industrial School is 

 granted free of charge, but a fee of i rupee per month is imposed on those 

 who are taught English. 



There were 82 boys in the Industrial School learning both carpentei-'s 

 and blacksmith's work, and the earnings during nine months amounted to 

 Rs. 56. It is proposed to teach boys who are not strong enough for the above 

 trades the use of the sewing-machine, with a view to turning them into 

 tailors. 



The girls do not make much progress in their literary studies, but their 

 work in the sewing classes is more satisfactory. The reason for this is that 

 free persons and ex-convicts do not send their girls to school, and convict 

 parents withdraw their daughters as soon as they reach their tenth year. 

 Efforts are made to overcome the prejudices of the parents, but without 

 success. There are many difficulties in this matter with regard to native 

 children, and at present it can only be hoped that by degrees prejudices will 

 gradually break down, and the girls be allowed to make a better start in life 

 than they are at present given. 



