View report page

11
I have again to report that the scheme has worked very
satisfactorily. The chief merit of the system lies in the fact that
each department of each school is visited one day in each week by
a Medical Officer "responsible for the health of the children in its
fullest sense, and not narrowly interested in the performance of
certain duties only which are specifically allotted as a necessary
minimum to be discharged."
It is a pleasure to report that the spirit of this description of
their duties has been characteristic of the manner in which they
have been discharged. In the month of November a conference
of the Assistant School Medical Officers was called to discuss with
the School Medical Officer suggested amendments of regulations
relating to the administration which is organised and centred in
the department of the School Medical Officer. Agreement was
reached upon all the points raised, and these were subsequently
submitted to a conference of the Head Teachers, who endorsed in
all essential particulars the draft regulations submitted. Unfortunately,
since this agreement as to the changes in the regulations
which the organisation of medical inspection has necessitated has
been arrived at, it has not been found possible for the Regulations
Committee to meet, and so the regulations in question still, await
authoritative sanction.
The following table shows the principle on which children
have been selected for inspection:—
1. Children five years of age and under.
2. Children of other ages admitted lo school for the
first time—not transfers.
3. Children aged 7 but not yet 8 years of age.
4. Children aged 10 but not yet 11 years of age.
5. Children aged 13 years and over.
6. Children of other ages "leaving school"—not
transfers.
7. Children (at any age) specially referred by school
teachers.