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Report of School Medical
Officer.
School Medical Service in relation to Public Elementary
Schools.
Under the Authority of the Erith Education Committee
there are nine provided schools, with nineteen departments,
and two non-provided schools, with three
departments. The accommodation of these schools provides
for 6,818 scholars. The number on the roll is
5,558, with an average attendance of 5,200.
These schools are of modern type, and are well situated
as regards their open-air spaces and play-grounds.
Their sanitary conveniences and lavatories are for the
most part in efficient and good order—the one exception
brought to your notice during the latter part of the year
is being remedied. The drinking-water supply is off the
main direct, while the water for washing purposes comes
from cisterns.
The general mode of heating these schools is by
stoves, and in some few cases is not quite adequate for the
purpose. Where defects have been present these have
been pointed out, and are being made good.
In these schools there is no provision made for drying
the wet clothing of the children during the school
hours, but where the schools are heated by pipes or hot
air, provision has been made.
The artificial lighting of the schools is also of varied
character, some being served with electricity and others
by gas. In these latter schools the conditions might be
improved by the general use of incandescent burners.
Much controversy has been raised amongst the
teachers as to the efficacy of Dustolio in preventing the
schools from becoming very dusty, and this agent has
been left off for the last two months of the year, and the
school floors thoroughly scrubbed and washed at regular