MODERN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 5

MODERN SCHOOLS.

CHILDREN'S BETTER HEALTH. MILK SUPPLY AND DENTAL CARE. ~"~~""~ i (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Tuesday. "While a new building such as this is predominantly for educational purposes, the health of the children must be considered and a school constructed toward this end," stated the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, when officially opening the new Hastings School. "We do not wish to speak derogatively of the work of the pioneers," he added. "In those days they were concerned in getting some sort of educational home for the children. To-day we are building on the mistakes of the past."

In former days the construction of schools had been such as would allow tuberculosis to obtain a hold, but the modern open-air schools were designed to combat this, and were better, for all concerned. The children were brighter and easier to teach, and the teachers themselves were in better health. The milk in schools scheme also had valuable results. Altogether 130.000 children throughout the Dominion were receiving milk, which was preserved against con" tamination. It had been proved in some schools that the height and weight of the children had improved considerably, and they had also become better intellectually.

The milk scheme and the work of the dental clinics were together meeting the serious aspect of the prevalence of dental caries, which had undermined the health of thousands of children, he said. It had been definitely established that dental decay was decreasing. The Minister spent a busy day yesterday in Napier, Hastings and the district inspecting schools, receiving deputations and attending to official business. It is expected that Mr. Fraser will remain in Hawke's Bay until Thursday.