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9
years have also been able to benefit by evening courses of
physical training. As in previous years Students from the
Bergman Osterberg Physical Training College, Dartford Heath,
have attended some of our central schools for teaching practice
under the supervision of the Head Teachers and tutors of the
C ollege. A scheme further to meet the needs of physical
education in this area has been initiated by this Authority in
approaching four other part III Local Education Authorities:—
Beckenham, Bromley, Gravesend and Penge, to secure the
appointments of a male and female physical training organiser.
If present negotiations come to fruition, this will be of inestimable
benefit and it is to be hoped that it may be possible
to extend this service to include the pre-school age-groups. It
is not necessary to point out, for example, that a postural defect
corrected by remedial exercises in a child of 5 to 6 years of
age, or older, could with more advantage and more easily have
been corrected at the age of 3 to 4, not to mention the fact that
the first mentioned might then never occur.
Provision of Meals.
The provision of milk in the schools continues to be in
operation and those who are discovered to be malnourished and
whose parents cannot pay the cost of this milk receive a free
supply by arrangement with the Education Committee or the
Public Assistance Committee. In addition foods such as cod
liver oil and malt are provided free in necessitous cases. Three
children were supplied with meals free of charge during the
year.
Co-operation of Parents, Teachers, &c.
Parents continue to show keen interest in the Medical
examination of their children. At Routine Medical Inspections
the parents attended in 90 per cent. in the case of infants, 81
per cent, in the case of intermediates and 55 per cent, in the
case of leavers.
The value of these routine examinations has recently been
questioned and the substitution of a more rapid review by
teachers or nurses and the reference of a percentage of the
children to the Medical Officer for fuller investigation lhas been
advocated on the grounds of economy of time and labour.
There is undoubtedly a good deal to be said for such an arrangement,
but it must be remembered that it is important to
maintain the close co-operation already existing between
parents and the school medical personnel, and it is difficult to
see how any considerable economy of time can be effected
where a high proportion of parents seek an opportunity to
discuss the health of the child with the Medical Officer.