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Co-operation of Teachers. 131
Co-operation of Teachers.
The co-operation and assistance of the teachers is
essential in any well organised scheme of school medical
inspection and treatment just as a properly organised
scheme of medical supervision is essential for the success
of any scheme of education. Undoubtedly the teachers
recognise this basic fact, for they show its recognition
by their interest in the medical progress of the children.
Some perhaps show greater interest than others, this
interest being evidenced by excellent private records
kept by them of all children found defective on school
medical inspection or reported by their parents to be
ailing. This record of illness or of physical weakness
in the children determines to a large extent the care
and supervision required in the education of the child,
and is sufficient recognition of the value of medical
inspection in the education of the child.
To assist the teachers in maintaining this interest
in the medical history of each child, a new system has
been adopted. After each medical inspection a list
of all children found defective is sent to the head-teacher
for confidential information, advice in writing being
given regarding any special care or attention required
on the part of the teacher. These records can be kept
and filed by the teachers and referred to when necessary
in determining any matters relating to the educational
progress of the individual children.
As regards the actual medical inspection every assistance
is given by the teachers, but as regards following
up and treatment no responsibility has been thrown
on them, although they have given much assistance
in many cases in referring for the special consideration
of the School Medical Officer cases not being attended
to as quickly as the defective condition demands.