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THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE IN RELATION TO
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
(3) School Hygiene.
Insanitary conditions' arising within the school precincts or
its immediate environment are reported to the School Medical
Officer by Head Teachers as they arise. Structural defects relating
to heating, light and ventilation are referred to the Committee's
Architect, Mr. J. H. Jacques. The desks in use are of the
modern dual type, and as opportunity arises box desks are being
gradually substituted for the older children, and chairs and tables
for the younger ones. The schools, classrooms and cloakrooms
are cleaned by an efficient staff of cleaners, under the direction of
the school caretakers. Head Teachers attend to the drying of
children's clothes, as required. The question of meals at schools
hardly arises, as with few exceptions most children live near the
schools, and go home at midday. In the two Special Schools,
however, and in the Day Open Air School at Crosby Road, the
provision of a hot meal at a very low cost is arranged for, but
many cases are on the free meal list.
There are ten School Dining Centres distributed in various
parts of the Borough, which are visited periodically.
Two schools supply Horlick's Malted Milk at morning playtime,
under arrangements approved by the Committee. At 28
School Departments milk is supplied in sealed bottles (l-3rd pint)
during morning playtime, at Id. per bottle. At one Infants' Department
a small quantity of milk is also supplied (not in bottles)
at a charge of ½d. per child.
(4) Medical Inspection.
For the purposes of administration, the whole Borough is
divided into five sub-areas, each served by a School Clinic, an
Assistant School Medical Officer and Nurses. The schools in
each area are visited in rotation. The Head Teachers send out
notices to parents informing them of the time to attend the inspection,
according to an arranged programme.
At the end of the Inspection of a School a written list is
handed or sent to the Head Teachers informing them confidentially
of any defects which are liable to interfere with' a child's educational
career.
Arrangements have been made for those scholars who are
absent from Inspection to be examined at a later special visit to
the school.
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