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are given in the Appendix (table VII). In addition to the above, the records of 3,960
pupils not in the age groups were reviewed, but detailed examinations were not
deemed necessary. As might be expected, the children in the secondary schools
show a general superiority in physical fitness over children in the elementary schools,
but in one case the clothing was found to be poor and in one infestation with head
vermin was noted.
Dental
condition.
The percentage of children, aged 12, with sound teeth was : boys 75.6 ; girls,
78.3; but at the age of 15 this percentage had increased by 1.8 per cent. among boys
and 1.5 per cent. among girls. Of cases of widespread dental decay where 4 or more
teeth were affected, the percentage among boys and girls of 12 years old was 1.0
in each sex, compared with 1.3 and 1.1 in elementary schools at this age.
In the previous year the 12-year old children had better teeth (78.7 sound
amongst boys and 80.3 sound amongst girls), and the dental condition of the
15-year old children was worse than that of the 12-year old instead of better, as is
found this year.
Vision.
At the age of 12, 70.2 per cent. of the boys and 68.4 per cent. of the girls were
able to pass the vision test, compared with 64.1 and 62.5 in elementary schools;
but, whereas in elementary schools the vision of children leaving is better
than that of the children of 12, the reverse is the case in the secondary schools
suggesting that the more serious strain in reading has a detrimental effect upon the eye
sight. In secondary schools 14.7 per cent. of the boys and 16.7 per cent. of girls
were wearing glasses at the age of 12, but at the age of 15 the percentages were 18.4
boys and 21.4 girls.
In spite of the much greater percentage wearing glasses at the age of 15, the
number of pupils passing the vision test remained approximately the same, viz.
70.8 per cent. among boys and 68.8 per cent. among girls.
Care of
eyeaight in
secondary
schools.
In September, 1926, sight-saving education for myopic pupils was begun at
Clapton and Peckham (now Honor Oak) county secondary schools for girls and at
the Raine's foundation school for boys.
Myopic pupils in the secondary schools suifer from a less degree of myopia than
the average pupil in the elementary myopic schools. The myopic pupils are not
taught as a separate class in the secondary schools, the only exception being
that physical education at Clapton is taken by the myopes as a group.
The pupils have an age range of from about 11 to 18 years, and the number who
have similar scholastic attainments is very small. The instruction of these myopes
as a class would generally involve the subdivision of the class into a large number
of sections; so far no solution has been found to the problem of educating myopes
sectionally in the subjects of the curriculum of the secondary school. In the three
schools concerned it is usual for forms to be organised so that quite a number of
forms contain a small group of myopes, often only 2 or 3. Instruction in the main is
given by the staff generally in their capacity as specialist teachers and not by one
particular teacher, though in each school one member of the staff takes a special
interest in the welfare of the myopes.
By instruction of the Higher Education Sub-Committee a full investigation
was made in the spring of 1933 into the working of these arrangements. This was
carried out on the medical side by Dr. E. M. McVail, who arrived at the following
conclusions:—
Success in safeguarding the eyesight of myopes under instruction depends largely upon the
effectiveness of the co-operation established between the ophthalmologist and the heads and
staffs of schools where myopes are educated. The fullest possible measure of co-operation is not
easily achieved. On the medical side there may be grave anxiety and concern for the condition
of the pupils' eyes. On the educational side, given the utmost goodwill, there are limits to action
that is desirable if the personality and character of pupils are to be developed, quite apart from
questions as to what is executively practicable. Examination success is in a different category:
in the case of myopes this must definitely be regarded as of secondary importance. There can be
no satisfaction in examination success if eyes are damaged in gaining it.
The scheme for sight saving, with modifications in individual cases as advised by the
ophthalmologist, should be carefully observed. Where the general organisation of the school
permits, myopes should have preparation periods in school time, preferably at least one every