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In one infant department an attempt was made to get complete
freedom from nits, and a notice was sent out for every child
affected—about 20 out of 400. Within three days all the heads
were clean.
This standard should be reached in every school, and it is
necessary to educate the parents to believe that it is attainable,
and that anything short of it is a disgrace. The success of the
teachers in enforcing cleanliness depends on the attitude of the
parents at home.
Prosecutions.
(a) Under the Attendance Bye-laws.
In four cases prosecutions were instituted against parents
who had, after repeated warnings, failed to present their children
in a sufficiently clean condition to attend school. In each case
directions as to the treatment had been given, and repeated visits
were paid by the school nurse before proceedings were taken.
Convictions were obtained in all four cases, two cases being
fined 5s., and two 10s. each.
(b) Under section 12 (1) of the Children's Act, 1908.
One case was dealt with under this Act. The particulars
were as follows:—
L. P., aged 7, was found in May, 1911, to be suffering from
an alternating concomitant strabismus and mixed astigatism, and
a notice was sent to the parent that the child's eyes required
treatment. He refused to allow the oculist to proceed with the
case. In November, 1911, a second notice was sent. The child
was in four different schools under the Acton Authority, and in
each one she was promptly referred to the Medical Officer by
the Headmistress, because she complained of "seeing double."
Frequent attempts were made to see the father to explain the
necessity of his obtaining treatment, or of allowing treatment to
be given by the School Oculist, but in vain. In June, 1912, the