TEACHING HYGIENE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1923, Page 7

TEACHING HYGIENE

NEW METHODS IN PARIS. The headmistress of an infants’ school in Paris, much to the astonishment of the education authorities, and in face of their discouragement, has adopted a novel method of teaching hygiene, states the Parisian correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph”. Much attention was devoted in the school syllabus to teaching that cleaniness is the basis of health, but the headmistress Was soon convinced that it was useless to attempt to teach

hyiene from books alone. During an examination, for instance, in answering the question, “When should we take baths?” a large number of pupils replied, “When we fall ill.” She proposed, therefore, to instal a bathroom on the school premises for practical demonstrations, but was promptly advised by the authorities not to attempt any such revolutionary change in the curriculum. Lacking official support, she installed two baths at her own expense, and, bavin obtained the consent of the parents, began a course of practical hygiene by bathing ten of her pupils every morning, assisted by a pupil teacher. After a short while she was able to report to the authorities that her class of 120 was much healthier and brighter than hitherto. Authority became interested so far as to send the inspectors to report from time to

time, but it still refused to pay for the cost of installing the baths. The headmistress applied for a small allowance for towels, but even this was refused. Eventually, after much correspondence and discussion the application was allowed on the clear understanding that authority could go no further with this “revolutionary” method of teaching cleanliness. The lessons continue, however; authority supplies wise precepts, while the headmistress furnishes from her ownresources hot water, soap, and towels.