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There were thus about 0.7 per cent. of the children inspected, who
were considered by the teachers to be mentally defective, and about 3.4
percentage were very backward children. With regard to the mentallydefective
children, there is no doubt that they gain benefit from
being at school, some to a considerable extent, and some to a very slight
extent. It is not, however, passible to get the best out of them in a
class of between 50 and 60 normal children. They cannot but be neglected
and as they grow older they remain in a class with children many years
younger than themselves. Very often they are a nuisance in the class, and
a source of worry to the teacher. To get the best results, these children
should be taught in small special classes by specially-trained teachers.
Clothing and Footgear.
The condition of the clothing and footgear was recorded by the
teacher on the Medical Inspection card. The record made was based on
the condition in which the child generally comes to school. This is much
more satisfactory than recording the condition of the clothing at the
time of medical inspection, as at this time the children, as a rule, have
their best clothes and boots on, and are specially cleansed for the occasion.
On the Infants' cards three classes were made:- Poor, Fair, and Good.