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admitted and 193 discharged. Of the latter, 34 were transferred as fit to attend
elementary schools, 68 were fit for work, 39 were transferred to institutions for
residential treatment for tuberculosis or admitted to hospitals for various reasons,
24 moved away, 8 were transferred to special schools, and 12 were discharged for
other reasons. In addition, 4 children died.
In 1925, vocational classes were started at Springwell House and Stormont
House Open-Air schools, with the object of training children in subjects likely to
be of use to them in obtaining employment. Two classes are in operation at
Springwell House School, one for boys and girls in commercial training which includes
shorthand, typewriting, and general office routine, and the other for girls in millinery
and lingerie. The vocational class at Stormont House is in needlework. Instruction
is also given in gardening and carpentry. These do not rank as "vocational"
subjects.
The following observations have been submitted by the medical officer of the
Springwell House School:—
"The commercial class for boys and girls appears to be serving a useful
purpose. Many of the children attending these classes remain at school when
they are over 14 years of age, and suitable posts are fairly readily obtained
for these special children. The position with regard to the dressmaking class,
however, is not so satisfactory. It is fairly easy to find situations for the
children trained in this work, but during periods of slackness they are put off
and drift into other work. Moreover, the wage in this work is not high."
The following observations by the medical officer of the newly opened Nightingale
House Open Air School are of interest:—
"A survey of the first year's work shows that, in the main, the provision
of open air education for these children has been justified. Most of them have,
in the past, undergone varying periods of sanatorium treatment necessitating
a big break in their education. Many of them are therefore backward in
the way of learning. All of them are below par in physique. On
these grounds they would, individually, be much below standard when placed
with normal children in an ordinary elementary school. Now, however, that
they have been brought together in a special school where they themselves
set the standard and special attention is paid to their physical welfare it is
natural that, as a whole, they should be happier and make more progress.
Open air, a good midday meal, and regular hours of rest are all of the greatest
importance in the school curriculum, and play their part in bringing about an
improvement in the health of the children.
"There has been a marked improvement in weight and height and the
change in their expression and general tone has been striking. The standard
of general cleanliness has improved and clothing, though still very poor, is
becoming better."
During the year, authority was granted for instruction in swimming and two
schools have taken advantage of this permission. Only children specially selected
by the medical officer of the schools are allowed to participate.
School Journeys.
During the year 1928, 496 (480) School Journeys were held. The children
taking part in them were examined in 494 cases before departure. In all 16,008
(15,971) children were examined, of these 119 (160) were certified as unfit to take
part in the journeys. (The figures in brackets are those for the year 1927.) They
were rejected on various grounds, e.g., otorrhœa, 14; infectious disease or contacts,
9; heart, 10; temperature, 11; personal hygiene, 7. Nine children were also excluded
from the school journey as they had not been vaccinated or were insufficiently