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EDUCATIONALLY SUB-NORMAL CHILDREN. These children are defined as pupils who, byreason
of limited ability or other conditions resulting in educational retardation, require
some specialised form of education, wholly or partly in substitution for the education
normally given in ordinary schools. The following figures relate to work carried out in
connection with educationally sub-normal children:-
Number ascertained during the year 40
Disposal of ascertained cases:
In ordinary schools 9
Recommended day special schools 30
Recommended residential special school 1
Number of cases known to the Authority at end of year:
In ordinary schools 94
In day special schools 155
In residential special schools 15
Fresh admissions to special schools during the years
In day special schools 28
In residential special schools 2
EPILEPTIC CHILDREN. The definition of an epileptic child for our purpose is one who,
by reason of epilepsy, cannot be educated under the normal regime of an ordinary school
without detriment to himself or other pupils. There are many epileptics whose disability
is not so severe as to be incompatible with a normal school life, and it is in their best
interests that they should be educated in an ordinary school. The more closely a child can
live like his fellows the more likely he is to grow up mentally balanced with a normal
healthy outlook; and this is as true of epileptic children as of any others. Many epileptic
children can be educated in ordinary schools if facilities are provided to enable them to
overcome their particular difficulties. It is only when an epileptic is clearly unable to
fit into the ordinary school and home life that he should be "ascertained" and the rather
drastic step taken of arranging special education for him. Fortunately this is rarely
necessary.
The number of non-ascertained cases of epilepsy known to the Authority is 50. Data
relating to ascertained cases of epilepsy during the year may be summarised as follows
Number of ascertained cases known to the Authority 4
Number of cases in residential special schools 2
In day special school 2
Number of fresh ascertainments during the year 1
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. Physically handicapped pupils are pupils not suffering
solely from a defect of sight or hearing, who by reason of disease or crippling defect cannot,
without detriment to their health or educational development, be satisfactorily educated under
the normal regime of ordinary schools. The following figures set out the position regarding
physically handicapped children in the Borough in the year 1954:-
Total number known to the Authority: (includes all children on
register at any time during the year)
Heart cases 14
Cripples 67
Miscellaneous 14
114