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made for two departments only, namely juniors and "mixed,"
instead of the three groups for which accommodation is provided in
the older schools. Though the building is similar in essentials to
some of its predecessors, many minor improvements have been
introduced, which have added to its utility as well as rendered it
more attractive. The work-room, provided at small expense by
making use of some of the space under the roof, is a specially
satisfactory feature.
It may not be out of place to emphasize the fundamental
importance of gradually modifying the curriculum so as to allow a
greater and greater share of handwork being undertaken in all our
schools. For this there is a sound physiological and medical basis.
Not only is manual dexterity a valuable asset to every future
citizen, but it is now generally recognised that mental development
is to a considerable degree dependent on the education and training
of that part of the nervous system which controls the muscles, and
especially the muscles which carry out finer movements, such as
those of the hands. Not only are " things done," remembered,
and understood more thoroughly than what is simply heard or seen,
but the final result is of considerably higher educational value.
There is also reason to believe that the too implicit reliance on
training through the eye and ear, which is so characteristic of the
ordinary curriculum, makes for nervous instability and that lack of
resourcefulness that is so often found in children who have done
moderately well at book work.
EQUIPMENT.
Owing to lack of funds no further steps have been taken
to re-desk the older schools. This is unfortunate, as in several
instances the existing desks are unsuitable and are of such
uniform size that appropriate seats cannot be found for children that
do not happen to be of average size. Under present circumstances
one cannot even meet the difficulty by suggesting the provision of
single adjustable desks for those children who show signs of
incipient spinal curvature.
SANITARY CONVENIENCES.
These have recently been inspected. The thirty-four schools
in the borough are provided with:—
48 ranges of automatically flushed troughs.
8 ranges of automatically flushed separate closet pans.
39 ranges of wash-down closets with separate flushing
cisterns to each closet.