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87
There were 12,585 children on the books for the year ending 31st March,
1920, besides the children attending Enfield schools; the average number of
children of the Edmonton district attending Enfield schools during the year
was 219, so that there is in Edmonton one child in the public elementary
schools for 6.1 inhabitants (reckoned on the nett population); it was 6.0 last
year.
There were 135 more children attending school than last year, and 547 less
than in 1915.
The number of children who obtained labour certificates enabling them
if they wish, to leave school at an earlier age than 14, was 20; 75 last year.
Expenses. Six precepts in March for £24,000 for elementary, and in
October for £38,153 for elementary education, in all for £62,153, were served
on the overseers to meet the requirements of public education for the year
ending March 31st, 1921; the amount last year was £46,417. Besides, a very
large necessitous grant had been received from a sympathetic Government.
MY STAFF IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE
My junior colleague (Dr. R. H. Strong) continues his strenuous career and
his work, like my own, continues yearly to increase. Indeed, he has only been
able to contend with the most recent accession to his duties, i.e., the examination
of children seeking work under the Juvenile Employment Bye-Laws, by
making considerable over-time. I am very sorry to say that his salary is not
so progressive as his work. Such an officer is worthy of appreciation and
encouragement, and he should receive a basic salary of at least £500, rising £50
yearly to a maximum of £750.
During the year there have been some changes in my staff which I herewith
record:—Mrs. S. A. G. Wilkin, the first nurse at the Minor Ailments Section
of the clinic was appointed on February 1st, 1920, and began work in her
section on the 16th March, but after the nth September a severe illness brought
her association with the work to an end, much to the regret of both Dr. Strong
and myself. Her place was filled in January, 1921, by Mrs. K. Christain as
Nurse Matron, and shortly after, Miss M. Innes-Brown was appointed as
junior nurse in the Minor Ailments Section.
To replace Miss Williams as school nurse, dealing mainly with routine
medical inspection, Miss M. Fairbarns was appointed and commenced duty on
the 12th April.