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are examined in this connection. In the case of the special school it is the higher grade
child who is presented for examination.
The number submitted for examination since 1949 has progressively declined, the
number in that year being 229, and for 1954, 78. The number of certificates of fitness
granted for girls to participate in singing and dancing under the Entertainment Rules
has remained fairly constant since 1949. The number examined durig 1954 was 58.
In practice over the years it is found that there are ordinarily very few children
indeed who are fit to go to school but who are not fit to undertake the one hour's employment
on schooldays which is allowed by the Byelaws of the Council.
THE SCHOOL LEAVER AND EMPLOYMENT
The School Health and Youth Employment Services work closely together during the
last two years of the child's school life and one of the last duties which the former
service does for a child on leaving school is to give the Youth Employment Officer an
indication of the child's fitness for employment. The school medical officer, at the
last inspection of the child, marks on the general school-leaving medical report appropriate
limitations to employment, e.g., the child should not enter an occupation involving
heavy manual work, sedentary work, work involving normally acute vision, exposure to bad
weather, work in damp atmosphere, much stooping and so on. There are seventeen such
limitations set out on the form. The scheme has now been in operation for 20 years. Whenever
time permits, any necessary investigations and, if possible, treatment are carried out before
a pupil leaves school. It is found in practice that limitations are most frequently recommended
on account of eye strain and defective vision. The next in order of frequency are heavy manual
work, exposure to bad weather and prolonged standing, much walking or quick movement from place
to place. Where there is a handicap of such a nature and severity as to come within the scope
of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944 a more detailed report is made. This applies
particularly to children in attendance at special schools, which are visited towards the end
of each term for the purpose of reviewing the capabilities of the school leavers. Registration
under this Act gives the disabled juvenile a better chance of obtaining and keeping a Job.
During the year 8 reports were submitted for this purpose.
MISCELLANEOUS
Among other types of examinations may be mentioned the following:
(a) Medical examinations of children boarded out in foster-homes or in
the Children's Homes are carried out for the Children's Officer by
medical officers of both the School Health and Maternity and Child
Welfare Services. So far as practicable each home has a medical
officer attached to it to take an interest in the medical welfare
of the children and to give the occasional services required.
During the year the medical officers of the School Health Service
assisted by examining 24 children;
(b) Medical examination of children prior to participating in school
Journeys - 215: all were found fit;
122