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There were 125 less children attending school than last year, and 682 less
than in 1915.
The number of children who obtained labour certificates enabling them,
if they wish, to leave school at an earlier age than 14, was 75; 79 last year.
Expenses. Five precepts in April for £12,950 for elementary and £50
for secondary education, and in October for £33,097 for elementary and £50
for higher education, in all for £46,147, were served on the Overseers to meet
the requirements of public education for the year ending March 31st, 1920;
the amount last year was £33,683. Besides, a very large necessitous grant
has been received from a sympathetic Government, amounting to £68,479, of
about a 6s. Od. rate; compare this with £47,850 (a 4s. 0d. rate) last year and
with £16.375 (a 1s. 7d. rate) for 1914-15-16-17, and with £9,216 for 1913, which
was equal to only an 11d. rate.
In April the Edmonton Teachers' Association requested the Council to
appoint a local teacher on the Education Committee, but the scheme of December
14th, 1903, does not allow for this, and one of the two co-opted women is a
headmistress.
On July 8th the Council granted permission to the Education Committee
to appoint Dr. Strong permanently; he had been acting as my junior colleague
since February 1st, 1915.
Councillor (Mrs.) Benjafield resigned from the Education Committee in
July; this was accepted on 26th August, and the vacancy filled by Councillor
Elms in September.
Girls' Charity School. On the 28th October the Council appointed
four of their number to be trustees of the Special Instruction Foundation for a
period of three years, in accordance with the scheme of July 23rd, 1913.
Washing. In December the Council agreed to washing towels, dusters,
etc., for the Education Committee, and that this Committee be charged with
the wages of a " laundress and 10% for the use of the apparatus.'' This
relieved the school caretakers.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR AND SCOPE OF ROUTINE
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Three age-groups have been inspected, the entrants (the majority of whom
were 5 or 6 years of age), the 8-year-old group, and the leavers.
Five thousand and seventy-seven children were passed through the
routine inspection; the number last year was 5,345.