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149
of tremendous value, and is far more beneficial than attendance at
local Day Open-Air Schools.
On the other hand the necessity for a Day Special School for
Physically Defective Children has been emphasized repeatedly in
the Annual Reports of the School Medical Officer, and there is no
doubt that the provision of a Special School for scholars suffering
from crippling defects, but who do not require a change of air
or environment, would be a definite asset to the physical and
educational welfare of these children.
Such a school, efficiently organized along the lines laid down
by the Board of Education, with proper facilities for educational
classification; provision of meals and arrangements for transport,
would enhance the probability of the scholars obtaining suitable
remunerative employment despite their physical defects.
Statistics in regard to the physically defective children, at
present attending ordinary elementary schools, who would benefit
by attendance at a Day Special School, are given in the accompanying
table.
In addition many children, who are considered sufficiently
recovered to be discharged from Residential Schools, would
derive benefit from a transition period at the Day Special School.
It is often found that the health of such children shows a tendency
to deteriorate upon resuming normal school life and, not infrequently,
a further period in a Residential School becomes necessary.