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66
There was then a steady increased demand until the
end of October, when 2,624 children or 76% of those in
attendance were supplied. Subsequently there was a slow
but steady fall to 69% at the end of the term.
For the purpose of selection of children, the teachers
are invited to bring before the School Medical Officer any
whom they consider to be undernourished and who are not
in receipt of milk at School. From the children submitted
the School Medical Officer selected twelve before the
end of the year. In three instances the parents agreed to
meet the cost, whereas in the remaining nine cases the milk
is supplied free, the cost being met from a voluntary fund.
In addition there are fourteen undernourished delicate
children attending the Special Open Air Day School, who
are in receipt of school milk, which is supplied free, the
cost being met from a voluntary fund.
All undernourished children recommended for milk by
the School Medical Officer are weighed regularly and followed-up.
At Routine Medical Inspections parents are asked why
their children are not having milk at school. The chief
reasons given are as follows:—
Distaste for milk, parents are of opinion that the children
have plenty at home, parents object, or it spoils the appetite
for the mid-day meal.
Less common reasons given are that the child spends
the money on sweets, milk upsets the child or is against
doctor's orders, or poverty.
Reasons given by the children themselves are distaste
for milk, object to cold milk, object to warm milk, and in
the Senior Schools many children especially boys consider
themselves too old.
It will therefore be realised that there is always likely
to be a considerable number of children who will not be
having milk at school.