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although the continued shortage of equipment and clothing proved
a major difficulty particularly in the development of the girls'
hockey. More children were, however, able to take part in regular
organised school games and we thank those enthusiastic teachers
responsible for such a large increase in the number of inter-school
and district matches played out of school hours. The provision of
transport would save much valuable educational time and relieve
the anxieties of teachers now responsible for the safe conduct of
school parties on the over-loaded public transport vehicles.
(3) Swimming.—Thousands of lives are lost annually by
drowning and a great proportion of those losses would be prevented
if everyone considered it a duty to learn to swim. Swimming also
provides very valuable and enjoyable exercise for the promotion
and preservation of health and needs far more emphasis in our
schools. Attempts to maintain a full programme of school visits
for winter swimming have proved very disappointing. Two of the
major difficulties are the lack of transport and inability to organise
school swimming on the normal basis because we have not yet
accepted the principle that every pupil who is physically fit should
be taught swimming and life saving.
(4) Visual Aids.—The use of the film in physical education
has been somewhat neglected but during the year this method of
Btudy has been used with good results. Films dealing with the
coaching and playing of the major games and the art of swimming
proved very popular and some of the excellent films on general
health education produced by the Central Council for Health
Education were used with excellent results.
(5) The School Medical Service.—Total health, embodying
the physical, psychological, nutritional, environmental and other
aspects can only be achieved by bringing together and pooling the
knowledge and experience of the medical and educational professions.
We have been very pleased to co-operate with the School Medical
Service in the correction of minor but often prevalent postural
defects. We are particularly concerned at the large increase in the
number of children with flat feet. Parents' meetings, called to
demonstrate the use of simple correction exercises and to display
films dealing with the correct use and development of the foot and
the importance of good posture have been well attended and we look
forward to an extension of this aspect of our work.''
11. PROVISION OF MEALS.
The Director of Education has kindly supplied the following:—
Since the cessation of hostilities the number of meals supplied
to school children has risen considerably and in December, 1945, over
5,000 meals were distributed daily from seven kitchens.