School Children's Defects.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 March 1910, Page 3

School Children's Defects.

« — WELL IN G'L'ON INSPECTOR'S PROPOSALS. "The question of the compulsory medical inspection of school children has from time to time engaged the serious attention of my board," remarks the chairman of the Wellington Education Board in his annual report, submitted at tho meeting this week. "An examination of between three and four hundred children, conducted by two medical men of recognised standing, was undertaken. AVhile the report shows that the physical condition of the children was on the whole good, there was disclosed quite a considerable number of cases of defect preventible and remediable, but in many instances previously unrecognised. -My board is strongly of opinion that both from humanitarian, educational, and national economic considerations, the establishment of a wellconsidered State system of medical inspection of school children is highly advisable, even if it be begun on a very small scale until actual requirement is determined by experience. My board is convinced that from the point- of view of national efficiency it will cost less to undertake this work than not to undertake it. It is found that the boards of the Dominion are in substantial agreement, and you are aware that the more progressive legislatures of other countries are in advance of New Zealand in this matter. The State inspection of schools has been undertaken in Tasmania, New South Wales, England, Franco, Argentine, Switzerland, Japan, and other countries."