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6
HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
Mi ss D. S. Elliott, S.R.N., H.V. Cert.. Dip.H.E.
Health Education Officer
"It is always better to light one candle than to curse the darkness".
The fields of action open to health education increase in
number with the passing of time, partly as a result of the trend
of social diseases and partly as a result of the prolongation of
life. Health Education is not confined to making the individual
"health conscious" and to developing the sense of responsibility
but strives to help him to a full understanding of the very
essence of life. Therefore, it is widely believed now that
health education cannot be considered apart from general
education either of children or of adults.
Secondary Schools. (Oonmunity Health Syllabus - See Appendii H)
Throughout the year continued efforts were made to encourage
the inclusion of the whole or part of the Community Health
Course into the school curriculum. It becomes increasingly
obvious, however, that although ideally most of the content
could be included, this rarely happens. The case for the health
education appearing as a separate subject in the syllabus,
therefore, becomes much stronger.
The whole one-term course was given six times hy the Health
Education Officer and one Health Visitor in one Boys' secondary
School, one Girls' Secondary School, one mixed Secondary School
and one Girls' Grammar School. In the latter school the second
term was devoted to the British Red Cross Society's Home Nursing
Course for which the school now has all the necessary equipment.
The course was given by the Health Education Officer and her
Assistant and twelve out of fourteen girls passed the British
Red Cross Society* s first year examination. In future the third
term will cover a Mothercraft Course for which the school is now
being equipped and the school health visitor will take over all
this teaching with the help of the Assistant Health Education
Officer.
Tuo Health Visitors were welcomed at another Girls' secondary
School to assist the Domestic Science staff with their courses
in Hygiene and child Care. This syllabus was based on the
British Red cross Junior Mothercraft Manual find was presented to
the 14+ age group. The girls especially enjoyed the practical