FUTURE TEACHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1927, Page 1

FUTURE TEACHERS

RIGID MEDICAL EXAMINATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 0. It is now the'policy of the Government Health Department to conduct a medical examination of all those secondary school pupils who intend entering the teaching profession. In fact, some 200 pupils have been examined in Christchurch during the last lwo days. The physical condition of those so examined, with a few exceptions, has been found to be good, especially that of the girls, who show the benefits of a sensible mode of dress and systematised physical culture. The Health authorities state that on being pronounced fit tlie students are allowed to partake of tlie superannuation fund without further examination. Formerly, the applicant for admission In the teaching profession was examined by a private doctor, which did not always prove'satisfactory as the doctor had the interests of his patient at heart. Sometimes the student got as far as the training college before lie found himself unfit to follow his vocation. AVitli the present state of teaching and the competition for positions it was do-siraj'le that only those who were physically fit should be admitted. Teaching involved an immense nervous and mental strain and only those of strong physique could stand up to the task. The present rather vigorous system prevailing had occasioned some protests from parents who complained that they had sent their children to school with a view to their entering the teaching profession only to find that they had been debarred by physical unfitness. Of course, the general education was not lost as some parents suggested. “ The pupils I have examined during the past day or two are of sound physical development and they show a distinct- improvement generally on those of some ten years ago, when I took up the work,” said Dr Baker yesterday.