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54
The mentally defective children go by tram to Nassau House, Enfield
Highway, under the charge of two guides. The usual curriculum is carried
out, and towards the end of the year, the joint Committee (Enfield and
Edmonton) passed plans for a hut to be erected in the garden for the purpose
of teaching carpentry.
The number of Edmonton children on the books at the end of the year was
27 boys and 10 girls.
During the year the School Medical Officer has examined 43 boys and 22
girls for mental deficiency, 12 of these on more than one occasion.
As a result, 18 boys and six girls have been certified as feeble-minded, and
10 have been notified to the County, two of these being moral imbeciles, one
already at Nassau House and one in an elementary school.
The formation of an After-Care Committee was discussed a year ago, but
it has not been formed yet.
There is a type of child which is very difficult to cater for, and that is the
morally depraved. It is not associated with mental deficiency, although the
child may be backward, and hence is not notifiable to the County Authority.
Two such cases have been brought to my notice during the year, but we are
unable to render any assistance. Such children take in the unwary by their
lies, posing and cunning, and will eventually become parasites on the
community.
Secondary Schools.—Dr. Strong carries out medical inspection in two
of the three secondary schools in Edmonton. His Report is furnished to the
County Authority.
Other Schools.—There are no Nursery or Continuation Schools in the
District.
Employment of Children of School Age.—During the year,
Dr. Strong examined 51 children under the bye-laws. The physical condition
of all of them was satisfactory.
The following Four Tables are in accordance with instructions
from the Board of Education. A few explanations are required.
Table I.—Children are examined in the school at special age groups, as
entrants, intermediate (8 to 9 years) and leavers, this latter being those who