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73
"This suggestion agrees entirely with the projected scheme
which was put forward for Ealing in 1932.
"The Committee further recommended that adequate aftercare
of myopic children should be secured up to the age of 18 by
co-operation between employer, Juvenile Employment Bureau
and School Medical Officer.
"It would appear from the recommendations of the Committee
of Enquiry that the proper course for the Ealing Education Committee
to pursue is to establish sight-saving classes in accordance
with the scheme originally planned.
"Although only six children in the Borough are at present
receiving "oral teaching only" a number of others, between
twenty-five and thirty, are undergoing ' easy treatment' when
something more comprehensive is desirable, because of the fact
that 'oral teaching only' would mean very little educational
progress for them.
"It will, therefore, be necessary to make ultimate provision
for about forty children in ' sight-saving ' classes and for this purpose
two classes will probably be required, as anticipated in the original
scheme.
"I have discussed with the Director of Education the
possibility of having two classes in a school situated in a central
position and he has indicated that accommodation is available
at Oaklands Road School. This school is fairly convenient for
the most thickly populated part of the Borough but it is far removed
from Greenford where there are 14 partially-sighted children to be
specially dealt with. No matter where the classes are held transport
will have to be provided, so that it is immaterial whether the
position is exactly central or not. I suggest that the Ealing
Ambulance Service might be asked to carry out the transport.
An old ambulance might possibly be adapted for the purpose.
"The cost of the classes may be stated to be £550 for teachers,
with £50 for equipment and £200 for transport or a total of £800 a
year.
"Against this outlay there will be a saving at present of
£146 for two children at residential schools and £30 for one at
a day school or a total of £176.
"25th October, 1934."