View report page

99
The lectures evoked considerable interest, and useful discussions
followed. I hope as opportunity offers to arrange for similar conferences
at the other schools in the borough.
A syllabus of the lectures is reproduced in the appendix.
SCHOOL CLOSURE.
During the year 1910 fifteen infant schools were closed in
accordance with Article 45 (fa) of the code. The prevalence of
scarlet fever, measles, mumps, or whooping cough accounted for
these closures.
EXCLUSION OF CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.
During the year 27 children were excluded under Article 53 (b)
of the code. This is in addition to the large number dealt with in
accordance with the ordinary Standing Orders of the Committee.
PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DEFECTIVE CHILDREN.
At the end of the year the following Croydon children were
under treatment in residential institutions outside the Borough:—
Blind children 6
Deaf children 5
Mentally defective children 3
Epileptic children 3
At present no serious attempt is being made to deal with the
problem of the mentally defective child. While the funds at the
disposal of the Committee for educational purposes are so limited I
do not feel that any useful purpose would be served by discussing
any scheme for the establishment of a special school. Certainly as
a matter of educational economics better return can be insured by
expenditure on normal children. On the other hand, if the mentally
defective are regarded, as they should be, from a social standpoint
there is little doubt that permanent institutional care must
eventually be provided. This would be one way of thinning the
ranks of the unemployable.