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21
During the year ended 31st December, 1935, 259,878 dinners were
provided to children in the schools. Of these, 251,845 were provided
free to children of necessitous parents, and 8,033, on payment, to children
in Central Schools.
The average number of children receiving milk daily during the year
was 11,700—11,250 on payment, under the voluntary schemes organised
by the head teachers, and 450 free, on the recommendation of the School
Medical Officer.
CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Co-operation of Parents.—Parents are informed of the time and place
at which their children will be inspected and are invited to attend.
The parents of infants take advantage of the invitation and are
mostly present. With the older children the attendance of parents is
less usual. By means of the invitation form, parents, if they are not to
be present at the inspection, are asked to state what illnesses their
children have suffered from and thus the personal history of each child
can be ascertained and recorded.
Intimation is given or sent to parents of defects noted at the inspections
and suitable directions are given.
The teachers also exercise their influence with parents to have
children's defects attended to.
The nurses "follow-up" in the homes children recommended by the
school doctors for treatment and explain to parents the necessity for
compliance with the medical advice.
Hospital authorities frequently make the request that the school
nurses shall visit the homes of their young patients and urge parents to
be diligent in the keeping of appointments.
The arrangements for keeping parents active in the welfare of their
children are thorough and the results are good.
Co-operation of Teachers.—Without the cordial co-operation of the
teachers, especially in the matter of cleanliness, the benefits of the School
Medical Service would be much reduced.