HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 October 1922, Page 8

HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT Subjects of much interest to the public. generally, more especially perhaps, to parents of school children, are touched upon in a circular sent to their school committees by the Hawke's Bay Education Board. The circular contains some extracts from a recent report to the Board by the school medical officer. Hr. Clark. The latter states: —“I have to report that during the month I have examined in all 2008 children, of whom 215 were found to be suffering from defects urgently needing treatment. The children as a rule are dean and well* clothed, but the number presenting deformities of the jaws is very high, and calls for a vigorous campaign in the ini'crests of an improved dietary. 1 have nut the figures available for comparison with those of the Morlh of Auckland, j of which i have experience, but my impression is that the percentage of such cases here would compare very uufavouraitly with (hat district. This deformity is due in tile first place to the use of the "dummy" teat whilst the bones are undeveloped, and subsequently to the absence from their dietary of foods requiring mastication. The sanitary conditions are generally satisfactory, so far as the ventilation and conveniences are concerned, but I ant not at 1 all favourably impressed with t.hc cleanliness and tidiness of the school rooms and wash basins. There appears to be an absence of proper school pride in such matters, and the cleaners are not doing their work well, i find that the desks and other furniture are not 1 shifted when the rooms are swept, and that accumulations of dust and refuse are manifest when they are moved. This is most insanitary and may well account for a considerable proportion of the common colds which are responsible for so much of the irregular attendance. 1 would recommend that the school committee should exercise a closer supervision over the work of the cleaners, and set a much higher standard of cleanliness in everything connected with the school. These remarks apply to the ; large schools quite as much as to the ! smaller ones, and 1 do not propose in this report to select any schools for either favourable or adverse comment. With regard to general details I may say that the use of a little brass polish on the taps and metal work, of sand soap to wash basins, of elbow-grease and duster to table and cupboard lops, com- ! hiued with the destruction of rubbish 1 amt lumber and the cultivation of tidi- | ness and orderly arrangement in the : rooms am! (heir environs .would set a ‘ valuable object lesson before the minds (of the children which could not fail to 1 affect their standard of decency and inode of living, besides awakening a j j pride in their school which cannot he 1 | without effect in moulding their eharac- ; ters as citizens. I RECORD CARDS

1 find that many hundreds of the children's record cards have disappeared from Hie schools, and that children changing their school hardly ever have their cards aI. the new school. This involves not only a considerable waste ol slalioiiery, but the loss of much valuable information as to the physical progress of the children. Sometimes the cards have been given to the children to take to their parents, with amusing or annoying results. 'The cards must be carefully preserved by the teacher and kept in orderly fashion. When children change their school, the teacher should send their cards by post (postage unpaid) to my office ‘in Napier, with, if possible', a note to say to what school they have gone.”