NOTES ON EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 54, 27 November 1907, Page 5

NOTES ON EDUCATION

(Bt "Socrates.")

SCHOOL HYGIENE.

One of the most : absorbing topics of discussion in tho world 'of education at the present moment is tho question of school

hygiene

The saying, "A healthy body makes a healthy mind," has been pretty well flogged to death by this time. The truth of the proposition is, however, now universally recognised, and the question now is, how shall the physical welfare ••of- school children'' be conserved?. ■•■.-. .-... ...■ ~ ..

Tho 'whole subject was comprehensively dealt with.at tho International Congress on School Hygiene, hold in London recently. The order of reference drawn nip for discussion was as follows:— ■■■■■'■■: ■'•■■' ■ '■■ ■

1. lho Physiology'and Psychology of Educational Methods and Work. 2. Medical and Hygienic Inspection in Schools.' 3. The Hygieno of tho Teaching Profession. 4. Instruction in Hygiene for Teachers and .Scholars. 5. Physical Education and Training in Personal Hygiene. 6. Out-of-Scllool Hygiene, Holiday Camps, and Schools, and tho Relation of ihe Home to the School. 7. Contagious Diseases, 111-health, and other Conditions Affecting Attendance. 8. Special Schools for Feeble-minded and Exceptional Children. 9. Special Schools for Blind, Deaf, and Dumb. 10. Hygiene of Residential Schools. 11. Tho School Building and its Equipment.

There were over 500 delegates present from all parts of tho civilised world, and tho dominant note throughout was the necessity for the' medical inspection of schools. In his opening address, tho President emphasised ,tho State's responsibility, in the matter; it was a national duty, as the general health and strength-of the rising generation depended very largely upon the part played by tho school.

If tho State compels parents to send their . children 'to school, the responsibility of safeguarding their physical welfare, is upon the State. In. Now Zealand tho school week averages 25 hours. Roughly speaking, from six to eight years, oven ten years, of a school-pupil's life is largely spent at school. If-the parents' responsibility is lessened daily by five hours, it is obvious that tho burden must be transferred, not dropped altogether. One of tlie speakers at the Congress, referring to proposed legislation in the British Parliament, remarked: "The Bills before Parliament will be of no real value unless the work is done on a uniform system. In most public schools of England there is no medical inspection. Inspectors must bo properly qualified, or they will only bringabbjit failure.- It will be better to have no inspection at all than an badly-paid/' staff. They should ho independent officers , of the local Educational Authorities, having "charge of not more than 10,000 children, at it salary of not less than £300 per annum. Children will attend school with advantage before the ago of five if they aro under the doctor's .oyo.- Medical inspection does not mean (lealing with epidemic and isolated cases, but iiTa/ system whereby education will moan the development of the body as well as the-mind."

Tho city of Brussels, comprising, with its suburbs, a' population of "598,600, has a finely-Organised service , of municipal hygiene, dating from 1574. Prior to that time, medical inspection of schools had been started and was in charge of the physicians for the poor; upon the organisation of the bureau of hygiene, this service was included in■• itsfunctions, since which time it I has been greatly extended and improved. 'In a special report on the subject, recently'issued, it is stated that:— .•.-..-.-. ■ ■■

" Every plane of public instruction in tho City of Brussels, belonging to, or recognised by tho Commune, 1 from ■ the Athenees, through every grade down to the "Creches, is visited at least once' every ten'days by one of the sixteen doctors appointed for this purpose. •.' •■ "They have to report on the general condition and cleanliness of the class-rooms;-the state of the fittings; lighting, heating, and ventilation; maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures (recorded by the teachers six times daily), and the condition of the playground, cloak-rooms', gymnasium, lavatories, etc." : ■■' ' '':'..■

For the examination' of the teeth of the school children, a corps of dentists ■is employed, sufficient in number, to havo every school visited onco a'month., The annual expense for this dental service averages about £400. ' ■ ■■■■ ■■■■■• ■ :

Coming nearer home, it is gratifying to find that in Auckland the subject has been receiving the serious attention of the District Health Officer (Dr. • Piifdy), who has lor the last three months, been working with his chief, Dr. Mafoii, : upon a scheme for a primary investigation of the sohools in ; the Auckland province. Four medical men and one dentist have already volunteered their, services. He (Dr. Pnrdy) lias secured 500 forms with a view to making a record of the physical condition of the children of one of the Auckland schools, and with the permission of the Education Board lie proposes to take the Newton East-school. The information he is anxious to obtain is in regard to measurements, height," girth of chest on expiration and inspiration, and weight; as to hearing, sight, teeth, nose and 'throat, and with respect to the prevalence of physical defects and general physical condition. It is hardly necessary to point put the great benefits 'of such an 'examination, not only for the children/but alsofoi- the. Dominion...! he doctor feels fairly confident from mere cursory examination of" many New Zealand schools, that the statistics of this country would bo much more favourable than thosa of Great Britain, where the children were beset with poverty arid , starvation.