SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19503, 11 June 1925, Page 13

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

MEDICAL INSPECTION. AN ALARMING REPORT. (From Ou.r Own Correspondent.) FEfLUING, Juno 10. A question that is of special importance to tho secondary schools of tho dominion has been opened up by tho Wanganui Education Board in a letter to the managers 6f tho Fcilding High School concerning the school medical officer’s report embodying a summary of tho result of her examination of candidates for appointment as pupil teachers and probationers. Tho letter stated that as practically the whole of the candidates were attending tho secondary schools last year tho board felt that tho board of managers should be made aware of the fact that tho report was of a somewhat disquieting nature and clearly pointed to tho necessity for some system of regular medical inspection of secondary school pupils. The report of tho officer (Dr Elizabeth Gunn) slated that she had never examined a pooler lot of candidates. On the other hand, tho senior inspector reported that academically the candidates were probably tho best ho' hud seen. Of the candidates in tho Taranaki and Wanganui districts 16 had defective vision. The records showed that most of these had loft the primary schools with no eye defect. Although all the candidates were warned that they must have their tooth attended to before presenting themselves for medical examination, it was found that 23 had decayed teeth. A total of 16 were suffering from ntwo and throat trouble. It would bo seen from tho above that tho health of secondary school pupils was not all that it should bo. Following a brief discussion in committee it was resolved that in view of the alarming nature of the report the -board be written to recommending tho introduction of a similar system of medical examination in secondary schools as that in use in primary schools.