View report page

2
Following the outbreak of Sonne Dysentery in 1955, an informal
survey was carried out of hand-washing facilities in all Corporation
schools. As the Committee knows, there are older schools
with buildings not up to the standard now thought necessary and
a policy of steady modernisation is being carried through as
rapidly as finances permit.
Apart from building adaptations, however, there are matters
such as the number of towels provided and the frequency with
which they are changed and it was to this that attention was
directed. In some cases, improvement was possible without awaiting
capital expenditure.
There were no major outbreaks of infection during the year
under review, although minor illnesses, especially in primary
schools continued to cause short-term absences of many scholars.
I have commented before on our inability to prevent the spread
of less serious illnesses, which invade the body through the
nose and throat. Family units now being much smaller than formerly
results in most children meeting infection for the first time
when they commence school life.
It is disappointing for parents and teachers that the most
modern buildings have little effect in reducing these infections.
New schools frequently draw children from new catchment areas
and the fresh cross sections of population generally have more
infection troubles than established communities. Fortunately,
the size of primary school classes is now falling with beneficial
results. While not suggesting a return to former educational
methods, it is probable that the mobility of children in presentday
infant classes encourages the spread of infections of the
upper respiratory tract.
The placing of handicapped children in special schools produced
no particular difficulties. The former shortage of residential
places for educationally sub-normal children is disappearing
with the opening of schools by other authorities with facilities
for Croydon scholars.
The Principal Dental Officer deals with the continuing
difficulties of recruitment to the School Dental Service, but
even here, some improvement can be reported.
Once again, I have pleasure in thanking the Chief Education
Officer and his Staff for continued help and co-operation. The
Head Teachers into whose schools we sometimes intrude at inconvenient
times, have nevertheless, done all in their power M
make us welcome. I think it is realised that our aim is to give