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All these measures to effect a full comprehensive School Health
Service have been instituted, or are shortly to be brought into
being, and it is certain that as the new schools rise up, the desired
provisions will not be forgotten.
(11) The provision of a convalescent school so that during the
short stay convalescent periods of up to six weeks as now arranged in
accordance with the terms of the 1944 Act, loss of schooling, with its
attendant backwardness, does not result.
As a footnote it must be observed that these several points are
diagnostic and curative rather than prophylactic and preventive, and
our chief concern for the future should be directed towards the
prevention of disease and the enjoyment of positive health.
To this end the hygiene of the school is of prime importance.
The old barrack type of schools must go and in their place buildings
planned to admit sunlight and fresh air, properly equipped with
gymnasia, laboratories, specialised classrooms, dining facilities, etc.,
must arise. The housing programme and the measures being enacted
to create freedom from want together should raise the standard of living
in the home, so that comparable high levels of environmental
conditions can simultaneously arise in the home and in the school to
better the lot of the average scholar.
School days should be for every child a succession of refreshing
experiences, educative adventures, and joyful contacts with teachers
and classmates, in pleasant and suitable surroundings, which stamp
a lifelong impression on the individual, not a period of daily boredom,
gloom and despondency, quickly to be forgotten.
I wish to record my appreciation of the help and support of the
Chairman and Members of the Education Committee during the past
year and am also indebted to the Chief Education Officer, the Teachers
and my Staff for their loyalty and invaluable co-operation in the work
of the School Health Service.
I have the honour to be, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Malcolm Barker,
School Medical Officer.