View report page

152
with a blackboard, writing being done with chalk either on the blackboard or on
large sheets of paper pinned thereon. Some children are for limited periods allowed
to read selected books with large print, whilst others with more serious defects of
vision are in preparation hours read to by a teacher or a normal sighted child. Science,
handwork and drawing lessons and physical exercises are all modified to meet the
special needs of the short-sighted, and homework and sewing are prohibited. At
regular intervals the eyes of the children are examined by the Council's eye doctor,
who suggests alterations in the class work if necessry.
"When taught under sight-saving conditions such as the above, it has been
found that myopic children can hold their own with normal-sighted children. But
it is essential that their parents and friends should realise that a secondary or central
school regime is not for such children a step to a subsequent career of clerical or
sedentary work, or any work requiring habitual close application, for such work
is injurious to short-sighted eyes and risks serious breakdown. Parents are particularly
asked to take their share in the scheme for the protection of their children's
eyes, by discouraging reading and close work at home. The children might be read
to by others in the family, or encouraged to listen-in."
Examination of Employees in the Education Service and Scholars.

The causes of rejection were mainly defects of vision, unsatisfactory general
health and morbid conditions of heart. The total number of examinations was
9,014, an increase of 6 per cent. when compared with the previous year. Some of
the candidates were referred for one or more remediable defects.
Cases
specially
referred.
There are also referred to the Public Health Department special cases in which
medical advice is required. Particulars in regard to these cases are set out in the
Annual Report for 1925. The number of examinations made was 3,505. The
major part of these were teachers, of whom 633 were men and 2,457 women. In
connection with sick leave, 1,848, or 64 per cent. of the teachers were over 40 years
of age ; this figure is an increase of 3 per cent. on that of the previous year.
Health of
teachers.
The report for the year 1925 contained the results of a survey of the infirmities
which had led to a premature termination of the teacher's career, either by death
or disablement. Continuing this survey special attention has been paid to those
suffering from tuberculosis. During the period from the 1st April, 1921, to the