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(e) Home Tuition
Some children may be so severely handicapped as to be
unable to attend a day school During the waiting period for admission
to a residential school or if the handicap is only of a temporary
nature the education of the children is continued in their own homes.
During the period 1st April - 31st December, 1965 home tuition
was arranged for 9 children.
(f) Convalescent Treatment
School children are recommended for convalescence or recuperative
holidays either by the family doctor, hospital or school medical officer.
Holidays were arranged for 15 children during 1965• The normal holidays
vary from two to four weeks.
I am grateful to the Chief Education Officer for the following
information :-
(a) MPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE
Between 1st April and 31st December, 1965 there were 212
applications for employment. Three withdrew before being called for
medical examination, 8 were employed in adjoining districts, and
4 could not be granted as the work was in a registered factory.
7 warning letters have been issued for minor infringements in connection
with employment by-laws.
The by-laws regulating the employment of children provide
for their medical examination prior to employment and annual
re-examination. 205 children were medically examined during the period
1st April - 31st December, 1965.
(b) PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
At the nursery stage much of the child's learning is through
physical activity, aided by climbing apparatus, large toys, sand, water,
balls, paint and music. Through the infant and junior stages skills
are developed in gymnastic movement, games and dance. Many of our primary
schools still lack sufficient provision for the development of skills
and agilities which challenge and stimulate the child. This is particularly
regrettable for the top junior child because of his great zest for physical
activity. The results achieved by children in schools where varied apparatus
is available offer evidence to justify the provision.
The period between 9 and 11 is the time when children most easily
learn to swim. All our schools with children of junior age have the
opportunity for at least one year for pupils to receive swimming instruction.
Instructors are provided at the baths to supplement the work of the
class teacher. The number of children learning to swim is encouraging
but could be improved still further by a greater allocation of time at the
public baths or by the development of learner pools. What can be done
is illustrated by one junior school situated very near to a public bath
who have taught all their school-leavers for the past three years to swim.
Three schools have their own learner pools and here again the number of
children able to swim is high, since it is possible to start the development
of water confidence with the infants.
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