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3. A printed booklet containing the sort of information which the work requires should be given
to each young person at the appropriate time. Its preparation should be undertaken as soon
as possible and the contents should largely be suggested by the people for whom it is
intended. A beginning in this could appropriately be made by Dr. Griffith working in
collaboration with the school, using boys and girls as critics at all stages of the work.
4. Although the parents are being individually informed of much of this, on suitable occasions,
there has not yet been an organised attempt to present it to them as a whole. This is a most
necessary step, and it remains to take it as soon as the more urgent work in the school
itself reaches a reasonable stage of development. What information we have at present
indicates parental approval and a desire to see the work extended."
J.R. Roberts (Head Teacher)
"The Pastoral Committee at Drayton School is set up to study and remedy as far as possible the
social and psychological problems of the school children. Invariably these children have some sort
of abnormal behaviour and do not take the full benefit of the education imparted to them.
The Committee has four main objectives:-
1. It takes over the responsibility and pioneers self-help in correcting the conduct of the
children concerned.
2. Provide opportunity for co-operation and discussion between the various departments such as
the Health and Children's Departments, the Child Guidance Service and the Youth Employment
Service.
3. By means of discussion, seminars and lectures train the members to exercise the necessary
pastoral care.
4. Encourage visitors from other institutions and create links to spread the experience and
invite suggestions for better results.
The Headmaster, the teachers and members of the above-mentioned departments were present at
the inaugural meeting which was held on 22nd March 1968. Since then the Committee meetings are
held, usually on Fridays in the afternoon, and the problems of the children are presented to the
Committee members by the school teacher concerned or the Headmaster. The problems are discussed
and the ways and means are suggested to help and improve the situation.
The medical department was consulted on many occasions and it helped the Committee by -
(a) carrying out full medical examination of the children to eliminate any physical and mental
incapabilities.
(b) advising the teachers in cases where emotional disturbances had kept the children backward
in the school studies, particularly during adolescence.
(c) advising the right kind of diet to the obese children.
(d) explaining the proper hygiene to the enuretic children and the children having allergic
diseases.
(e) after discussing with the hospital doctors and consultants, informing the Youth Employment
Service of the physical and mental incapabilities of some of the children who had been under
hospital treatment and wished to take up certain careers.
(f) investigating with the help of the school nurse the home conditions of a child who came to
the school with multiple bruises on the face and other parts of the body."
K.V. Shah (School Medical Officer)
"As a result of our year's trial we have learnt a good deal and are now proposing to work out a
new plan and new methods.
Meanwhile I would say that it is obvious that this teaching fills a very important gap for the
mixed groups which make up the personnel of the school. One of the things that has impressed me
most is the great desire that the children have to learn, and there can be no doubt that this method of
teaching is appreciated and is a new experience for all of them."
Edward F. Griffith
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