Various types of official documents of government and voluntary organisations are probably the most easily accessible sources of historical evidence. While they might represent only the official views of issues and incidents, they provide valuable information and a chronological framework on the development of education in Hong Kong. Selected documents deposited in this Collection record major education policies and the process of their making; routine inspection of schools and statistical data collected; changes in curriculum and mode of teaching; organisation of mission schools and the founding of the first university in Hong Kong. They document the change of attitudes, views and practices in policy making, and trace the emergence of an education system serving a predominantly Chinese population under colonial rule.

These documents also serve as further readings of the section ‘Development of Education System and Policy’ and are presented in three different periods under the following categories:

Documents deposited include government committee reports, correspondence, notifications and regulations. They record the views of administrators and community leaders on the needs and problems in education and the process of policy making

Documents deposited include selected annual government reports on education (alternate titles of Report of Government Schools, Report of the Inspector of Schools and Report of the Direction of Education were used in different periods), reports of mission societies regarding their schools, and correspondence related to government and private funding of schools. They provide statistical data of schools and students, fees and expenses, standards achieved and demographic changes; and reflect the roles played by government, mission societies and individuals in providing education for Hong Kong children.

Documents deposited include public examination papers, scholarship scheme and curriculum. They record subjects to be studied and standards of assessment adopted in a certain period.