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89
The elevation of the grade of the Chief Clerk (Mr. F. Read)
is long overdue, and the necessity for the regrading of the Grade
"A " Senior Woman Assistant's (Miss Dean) post has made itself
felt by reason of the growth of the School Clinics and the necessity
for supervision in connection with the clerical work, collection of
fees, and the issue of stock and additional nourishment. The
marking of children's attendance cards, and the checking of
same, is an important point to bear in mind, because the amount
of grant to the Authority from the State is considerably affected by
this provision. It should be remembered that the employment of
women clerks does not necessarily point to the work of the
Service being less important than other Services, in fact it rather
adds to its status—it is essential that women should attend the
school clinics in a clerical capacity because of the large number of
mothers who attend the clinics with their children, and the advice
and assistance which has to be given them in regard to a child's
physical development and matters of this description. It would
be undesirable for male clerks to carry out this work.
In conclusion, it should be stated that the general tendency
of the School Medical Service, and the Committee's policy towards
it, is for increase and expansion, and the appointment of an additional
clerical assistant is imperative. My proposals for the reorganisation
of the Department will be placed before the Education
Authority at an early date, and I hope that they will meet with
unqualified support.
(b) Exceptional Children.
Towards the termination of routine medical inspection in
each school, teachers are requested to bring before the School
Medical Officer any special cases who may require examination,
and to include amongst these all cases falling within the category
of " exceptional children " (Table III). In this way an annual
census of all cripples is rendered possible, whilst particulars may
be obtained and advice given as to their progress and treatment.
As was reported last year, a special visit was made to all
the schools with a view to ensuring that no " exceptional children
" had been overlooked, and tables, indicating the results of