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97
At the beginning of the Autumn term the daily average
number of meals being served amounted to 6,793, a slight reduction
on the number for the corresponding period last year. This
reduction may be due to the fact that from 1st September the
Ministry increased the cost of the mid-day meal from 9d. to lOd.
A return to the Ministry of Education shewed that on a day in
September/October 66.88% of the pupils in attendance at Primary
and Secondary Schools received the mid-day meal.
The school canteens are under regular supervision by the
Public Health Inspectors, and a very high standard of hygiene has
been maintained throughout the year.
Milk in Schools.
A return to the Ministry of Education shewed that on a single
day in September/October 89.22% of the pupils in attendance at
Primary and Secondary Schools received milk.
EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
The number of children examined by the School Doctors in
respect of fitness for employment out of school hours was less
than for the previous year. One hundred and sixty-one examinations
were carried out and in every instance fit certificates were
issued. Two hundred and two examinations were made during
1955 and fit certificates issued in every case but one.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS.
In addition to the examination of school children, fifty-five
students, teachers and other employees of the Committee were
medically examined during 1956.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS.
Medical inspections were carried out at nine independent
schools during the year, when 565 children in various age groups
were examined in the 54 sessions held. Statistical details of these
examinations will be found in Table VIII at the end of this report.
In addition to the periodic medical examinations, sessions for
audiometer tests were held at 5 schools, when 341 children were
examined. Of the 14 children who were confirmed to have
hearing defects, on re-examination, 5 were referred for treatment
to the Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant, or to their family doctors,
while a further two were already receiving treatment. Five other
children were placed under observation and. in the remaining two
cases, the defects were so slight that no action was considered
necessary.
Special examinations have included intelligence testing of
retarded children and the investigation of maladjustment.