The Health of School Children

Southland Times, Issue 10996, 27 July 1907, Page 3

The Health of School Children

DISCUSSION BY EDUCATION BOARD. CONFERENCE WITH MEDICAL MEN. A special meeting of tho Education Board was held yesterday, there being Present—Messrs Gilchrist (chairman), J. Cowie, I. W. Raymond, J. Fisher, "• Macalister, W. N. Stirling, T. Mac Gibbon and J. Crosby Smith. The moat important subject brought up for discussion was a report by Inspector Wyliie upon Dr Ogston's scheme regarding the medical inspection of school children. Mr WylUe questioned whether the plan of inspection by teachers was l workable. Even if teachers, with tho aid of the Departmental pamphlet, were able to diagnose the physical condition of their pupils, with any reasonable degree of accuracy, it was a question whether they should be called upon to do so. Their opinions would probably meet with a hostile reception at the hands of parents. To be effective, medical inspection must be carried out by qualified medical men. Tho parr of the scheme relating to the keeping of records oi weight, height and chest measurement of each pupil, could ba quite well attended to by teachers, who might ttlso report

clear cases of physical defects. Mr W. Macalister agreed that Dr OgBton's scheme was hardly feasible. Teachers would not he able to qualify themselves sufficiently to satisfy parents and lead them to act upon the reports- Something might be done in the way ot getting the medical men of tho town to make an examination, find the Board could then point out to parents that certain children required some attention. It would be best K'r the Board to have u conference with the medical men. Perhaps one of them might go to tho Middle School, another to the South and another to the Park, and if the scheme worked well In town it might be tried at Coro and Winton, and so on. It was little use discussing an elaborate scheme on Dr Ogston's lines, as they would not arrive at anything practical. Tic. would move "That the Board take steps to invite the medical men of tho town to meet the Board In conference to discuss tho question of the medical inspection of school children, and that the chairman make the necessary arrangements.'’

Mr MacGibbou spoke on similar linos in seconding the motion. It was astonishing. he said, how large a proportion of school children wore suffering from seme defect which handicapped them in their studies. Mr Stirling supported the motion, and referred to cases where the timely calling of medical aid would atort much Buffering and endless expense. Mr Crosby Smith remained that Dr. Og-ston’s idea seemed to he n kind oi first aid. If teachers noticed little things such as leaning to one side to hear, breathing through the mouth, etc., suggesting deafness or post nasal growths, they could draw) attention to It tend so perhaps do a .great deal of good. Something might be done haway of medical inspection, and the mo. lion was probably on the right track. It would be a beginning any way. lie believed that ninety-nine parents out of a hundred would have no objection to their children being examined.

Mr Fisher doubted if any good would Come oi the conference, unless legislation followed it. It must also be remembered that not 10 per cent oi people wore free from physical defects, which they got through the world with, and ' there might be a. tendency on the part of those making the examinations to be altogether too strict. The conference, however, might make some useful suggestions, and 1 then Parliament could lie approached for the necessary authority. Without that authority the Board was really helpless, as parents might strongly object to their children being rounded up for inspection>‘or was there any guarantee that if defects were pointed out parents would have them remedied. Many of them would bo unable to face the expense. lie tnougnt n>r ugstuu's idea was largely to prevent epidemics. One trouble was that children competing for attendance certificates would not stay away until absolutely unable to walk to school. They hung on till the last moment, and the disease was spread to others.

Mr Raymond also doubted whether the motion would lead to anvthimi tangible They all realised that education wok oi lil tie value unless the physical condition Of the children was satisfactory. There were now a. h‘t of weaklings who might have been strong in mind and body had they had proper attention at the right moment. It was, however, a matter for the State. The Conference might result In the Board being able to suggest lines on which the Government should legislate. There were common trouble*, such as post nasal growths, which involved operations far beyond the means oi many parents. It was n duty resting on the fcttate to undertake the solution of the vpiole question. The Board might move in bringing the matter forward, with a view to having the inspection made compulsory. Mr Cowio supported Mr Fisher's arguments. Tie thought some school teachers itf» far too careless and tould exhibit more vigilance in preventing the spread of epidemics. Mr Macalisler concluded the discussion by remarking that if it was agreed that examination was desirable, then they should agree to support any movement to bring it about. He did not think parents would object to the examination. There would be nothing objectionable about the manner of making the oxiiniiiiirtioa, the reports would bo private, and parents would ba educated up to the necessity, in their children’s interest, of ftaving defects remedied- He agreed that the matter was one for the State to take up, but the Board could do fcomethieg now towards the solution oi jhe question. The motion was carried unanimously.