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Governments of the Malay States towards an 
endowment fund, the Colony would erect buildings 
at a cost not exceeding $1,000,000 and give $50,000 
annually towards the upkeep. The requisite sum 
having been subscribed, a world-wide competition 
was opened in 1923 for a design. Work on the 
buildings should start in 1924. One of the most 
important functions of the College will be to train 
local teachers. It will also give courses in science 
for students of medicine and agriculture. When 
funds allow, an engineering faculty is contemplated, 
and ultimately oriental studies should find a place 
among its faculties. 
Great hopes are built oh this College by parents 
ambitious for the education of their sons and 
daughters. And if the courses of study are framed 
to meet local needs and the manufacture of a literary 
class with no practical bent can be avoided, the 
College should fulfil a want. At the same time it 
must be remembered that a University education 
for the few will not materially affect the difficult 
social problems of a community of mixed races or 
directly benefit the economic life of the many. 
8. VERNACULAR EDUCATION. 
(a). Malay Boys’ Schools. 
Though there had been sporadic missionary efforts 
to provide schools for Malays and two day schools 
were supported by Government in Singapore as 
early as 1856, it was not until after the transfer 
of the Straits Settlements to the charge of the 
Colonial Office in 1867 that the local Government 
took up seriously the problem of building and staff- 
ing vernacular schools, where Malay boys should be 
