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72
I feel convinced that with backward classes, which could be called
Handicraft Classes, we should get rid of the stigma of the "Silly School,"
inseparably associated with the mentally defective school, and that we
should secure the co-operation of the parents. If these classes could be
associated with schools where there are handicraft and domestic centres
we should improve greatly on the special education provided at Acton
by teaching, when the children reach a certain age, the beginnings of
certain occupations suitable for them.
The children would be kept under constant supervision, mentally
and physically, and we should be able to deal with all of them in a
thorough manner and not with a few in a partial and tentative fashion.
The establishment of a Mentally Defective School must receive the
sanction of the Board of Education, and I am led to understand that this
sanction cannot be obtained from the Board at the present time. No such
sanction is required for backward classes and they can be established
whenever it is practicable for the Director of Education to organise them.
It comes within the province of the Director to deal with the
establishment of these backward classes, it being an educational matter.
As School Medical Officer it is simply my duty to recommend the form
of education desirable.
Definite suggestions with regard to where the backward classes
could be established will be put forward by the Director, with whom I
have carefully discussed the matter, and I can only conclude by saying
that if the classes are established I am prepared to co-operate in every
possible way with the Director of Education to make these classes a
success not only from the children's but from the Committee's point
of view.
THOMAS ORR,
Medical Officer.
\lth February, 1927.
Nevertheless, when details of the scheme indicating the schools
where the classes would be held were put forward by the Director
of Education, the Committee reversed its decision. Consequently
another Report was submitted as follows:—
BOROUGH OF EALING—EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
Review of the Present Position as regards the Education of
Mentally Defective Children in the Borough.
It is the duty of the Local Education Authority to ascertain (a) what
children between 7 and 16 years of age within their area are mentally
defective, (b) to ascertain which of these children are capable of being
educated in a Special School, and (c) to notify to the Local Authority
under the Mental Deficiency Act (The Middlesex County Council) any
children who are not capable of receiving benefit at, or who are unsuitable
for, a Special School.
In order that these duties may be carried out a complete record is
kept of all mentally defective children who would, if they were normal,
attend public elementary schools. These children are specially examined
and are classified into six groups:—