THE CHILD'S PHYSIQUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2447, 28 April 1915, Page 9

THE CHILD'S PHYSIQUE

; NEW METHODS A SUCCESS. ' 'A satisfactory result has, according to the report of the Education Board 1 presented yesterday, followed the institution of physical training and medical inspection in the schools. The report states:—

"It is very pleasing to find the in- 1 spectors' able to report that as a result of the oourse of training in physical development undertaken by the Whole teaching staff of the district. Under the direction of the officers of the Department, 'there has been a general improvement in the physical training given in 411 the schools, one, result of which is that breathing exercises are practiced more efficiently than formerly.' At the same time they remark on the need for attention to the individual child, and the difficulty of obtaining, owing to their numbers, the Very best results from the largest of the City classes. The kindred work of medical inspection has proceeded steadily ' during the year, and the school staffs have assisted to the utmost o£ their power, especially' in the tactful appropriation of the sympathy and cooperation of the parents. .The number of schools down to Grade 111 visited was 85. As the Teports appear to showthat an appreciable fraction of the pupils suffer fr<gn malnutrition or sub- 1 normal nutrition, an important public service would be rendered if the inspectors would say what are the chief causes of the unsatisfactory condition, and seeing .the circumstances appear to exolude poverty, as an'explanation of many of the oases under review, it is suggested that the • medical inspectors may, with great benefit ■■ to the community, and in particular to parents, see their way to indicate how, .by change in personal' habit, or by more appropriate selection and preparation of articles of food, the healthy development of the growing child may be most perfectly attained. "In view of the considerations outlined above, and of other and substantial reasons in favour of this suggestion, my board is of opinion that the office of the Chief Medical Inspector and that of Chief Inspector of Phvsi.cal Education (Sections 134 (1) and 136 (1)) should bo combined in on© officer."