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74
by the re-organisation scheme, and were transferred from another
school. Their former school was one of the worst in the district,
and the class was no exception to the school. When they were
removed to their present school they came under the afore-mentioned
teacher, whose class always shows good results.
She had carried out the methods of separation described
above for some time. The influx of these girls from another school
had at first a bad effect upon results of the head inspection in her
class, but very soon her separation methods had effect, and her
class invariably shows good results at each inspection.
Other causes may have operated, such as change of surroundings,
contact with a type of girl different to those they were accustomed
to, as well as the change of teacher. The latter factor
probably is the most potent. Some teachers can instill more than
others a wholesome respect to their wishes.
I feel sure that if the teachers would carry out these methods
that we should get better results, but there is a feeling that if they
did proceed along these lines, they would not always be supported
by the Committee. There are exceptional circumstances in which
such a procedure as the separation of the unclean children would
not be justified, but such cases are few and far between, and the
matter could safety be left to the discretion of the teachers.
The teachers know the domestic circumstances of most of
their pupils, and no undue harshness is ever exercised in any exceptional
or hard cases. These exceptional cases are well known
both to the teachers and to the school nurses, because some of the
most difficult cases that we have to deal with are those who belong
to a home which has been the scene of a domestic calamity.
We have in the schools a few children whose parents have
separated. The difficulties arise when the wife has left her husband,
her home, and her children. Under these conditions, the deterioration
in the children was obvious soon after the separation.
Whereas, formerly, the childeren had been clean and well kept,
very soon notices had to be sent, that the children were not clean,
and the heads were infested.
In one instance, the mother had been taken to a mental institution,
and the grandmother looked after the house, but she
was too old and infirm to keep the place and the children clean.
In all these exceptional circumstances, the nurses do the
cleansing at the School Clinic, but otherwise the Committee do
not undertake the responsibility of disinfesting the children.
After the inspection, whenever necessary, notices are issued
informing the parent of the condition found, and instructions are