THE SCHOLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16311, 13 August 1917, Page 11

THE SCHOLS.

MEDICAL INSPECTION. Replying to*a question by Mr Jennings, M.P., the Hon. Mr Hannan (Minister of Education) eaid the national importance of the work of the Sciiool Medical Inspectors had received a considerable amount of attention, A report of a very interesting and instructive character would shortly be issued, dealing with the work of the Medical Inspectors and of the principles upon which the medical inspection was based. Proposals wero under consideration to increase the number of I School Medical Inspectors and of school I nurses, r.ud also to moke provision for ' co-operating with Plunket Nurses for the benefit of school children in out- | lying districts. . When it was remem- . bored that there was only one school medical inspector for each 45,000 school children, it would bo recognised that the j number of the present staff fell far shore of the ideal. It was hoped to add to the number as soon as improved conditions made it possible to secure the services of additional school medical inspectors, so that they might be able to cope with the inspection of the whole of the school children of New Zealand, irrespective of the schools they attended. The Government was fullv nl've to the value of school medical inspection and to the possibilities of _ its development, recosrnising that it was necessary to build up from the foundation a lioalthy and vigorous race without whHi all attempts at education,' and social progress would be, to a large extent, handicapped.