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The total number of children of all ages immunized at the
Health Centres and in the Schools in 1942 was thus 5,555 which is
an increase of 622 over the number of children immunized in the
previous year.
9 t
MILK AND MEALS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Every opportunity was taken at school medical inspection
and at the Health Centres to encourage the drinking of milk by
school children. Milk is supplied in one-third pints at the
cost of ½d. or at half cost or free of charge according to the level
of the family income in the sliding scale approved by the Board
of Education.
The following figures supplied by the Director of Education
show the number of children who were receiving milk on the 14th
October :—
Number of children on Roll 16,616
Number of children present 14,855
Number of children receiving free milk 716
Number of children paying for milk 10,328
Total number of children receiving milk 11,044
Percentage of children receiving milk 74%
The scheme for the provision of school meals organised by
the Director of Education, was extended during the year until all
schools in the Borough were able to provide midday meals either
from their own canteens or from the Central Kitchens set up for
this purpose.
At the end of the year the Director of Education, in a report
to the Education Committee, estimated that 27% of the children
on the rolls were receiving meals, that is, about 4,600 school meals
were being served daily.
The meals are provided at a cost of 5d. to the parents or half
price or free of charge according to the level of the family income
in the same way as the school milk.
Head Teachers have observed a considerable improvement in
the physical condition of these children and a marked improvement
in the school work of backward children. It is considered that the
nutrition of the children having midday meals at school is of a
high standard mainly owing to the regularity of the meals and to the
well balanced diet provided. Where at school medical inspection