HEALTH IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15503, 9 January 1914, Page 8

HEALTH IN SCHOOLS.

MEDICAL INSPECTION.

EXTRA WORK FOR TEACHERS,

MORE ASSISTANCE SUGGESTED.

The recently-instituted scheme for the medical inspection of school-children has met with some strong opposition from teachers in various parts of the country and, for that reason, something on the subject was bound to come before the New Zealand Educational Institute. A remit from the Auckland Institute was read at the conference yesterday, in which the recommendation was made that the medical inspection of children, with all the clerical work that it involved, should not be required of teachers without additional assistance. Mr. F. J. Ohlson (Auckland) said that the teachers were not averse to the scheme, but the time available was not nearly sufficient to carry it out. In subsequent discussion, a teacher stated that he had found no difficulty in doing the work. This year only 20 children had to be examined. Another speaker said that the last circular required that the whole of Standard 11. should be examined. He added that all of the instructions on the matter had reached the teachers direct from the Department. Th,e teachers were servants of the various boards. What would happen, he asked, if they refused to do the work ? Mr. J. Aitken (Wanganui) said that his board had passed a resolution directing the teachers to do the work if they had time for it, but reminded them that they were its servants. He had not examined any of the children.

" We worked for this scheme," said Mr. Mac Donald (Ofcago). "It will be a pity if some men ignore it." Mr. T. Patterson (Otago) said that if they pointed out to the Department that, in its present form, the system was somewhat burdensome, no doubt it would meet them. He hoped that no obstacles would be placed in the way of the Department in the matter. "We should make an effort to do the work, to see if we can possibly do it." Mr. H. A. Parkinson (Wellington) said that the scheme began in a chaotic manner, but it was now beginning to crystallise. He believed that the Department would correct the things that were wrong in it. It was decided to hold the remit over until the July meeting. .