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Council. Only pasteurised milk is supplied and this is contained
in sealed bottles holding one-third of a pint. The cost
to the parents is one half-penny.
It is still a matter of regret that many more parents do
not avail themselves of the opportunity of providing their children
with milk in school every day. It has been conclusively
demonstrated that by so doing the children benefit greatly in
health. In a very few cases, it is true, children are not able
to take this milk. There appears, however, to be no adequate
reason for the fact that only about fifty or sixty per cent. of
the children in Wimbledon are receiving milk in school
regularly under the scheme.
12. CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS, AND VOLUNTARY
BODIES.
Co-operation of Parents. Parents are invited to be
present at the school during the routine inspection of their
children. Out of 1,812 children examined at the routine
inspections, one thousand and five, or 55.46% were accompanied
by one or other parent.
The percentage of parents attending these inspections in
the schools is lower than that desired but is not. due to any
real lack of interest on the part of the parents in the health
of their children. Many of the mothers go out to work and
are consequently unable to spare the necessary time to attend.
There is a great advantage in obtaining the co-operation
of the parents as it enables the School Medical Inspector to
give detailed advice in the ease of children found to be
suffering from defects.
A large number of parents also attended at the special
examinations at the Health Centre.
Co-operation of Teachers. I have again to acknowledge
the valuable assistance which the teachers have rendered to
the School Medical Department during the year. They have
facilitated the medical inspection work in the schools, and
given every assistance to the school nurses during the routine
cleansing examinations, and when following up cases found
to be defective.
They have also co-operated, as in the past, by bringing to
the notice of the School Medical Staff those children who, in
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