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72
Frequency of Inspection.
Under Section 13 of the Act, the Board of Education
have decided that not less than three inspections during the
school life of each child will be necessary ; these should be
undertaken:—
(1) As soon as possible after admission.
(2) At about the seventh year.
(3) At about the tenth year.
A further inspection immediately before the departure of
the child into working life is desirable where practicable.
In the first year (1908) it may prove impracticable to
attempt more than the inspection of the children newly
admitted and those leaving school.
In the second year (1909) the Board will be satisfied with
the inspection of those newly admitted and those leaving, with
the addition of those who have matured for their second
examination. Some such adjustment "will tend to equalise
the burden over successive years."
Number of Children to be Examined.
From information supplied by the Secretary of the
Education Committee, it is estimated that the number of
children to be examined during the first year (1908) will be at
least 5,000 ; this will include only the children joining and those
leaving school. In the following year (1909), in addition to
the above, those children in the schools who have reached the
age fixed for the second inspection, will also have to be
examined ; these will increase the number for this year to more
than 7,000. While in succeeding years the numbers will
further increase until the whole of the children in the schools
have been examined.
It is important to bear in mind the fact that this systematic
examination of children will be in addition to much of the
work already done in the schools, and cannot take the place of
it. For instance, an outbreak of any infectious disease in a
class or school will necessitate for a time frequent visits to the