The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1913. OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 24, 2 June 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1913. OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Since it became an education authority the London County Council has introduced many useful innovations. Xot the least important is the provision of open-aii' schools for little weaklings, who for a year or more, as may be thought necessary, are to be fed and made fit to attend the ordinary Board schools. The system is explained in the English papers, and it certainly should work well. The food, the medical attendance, and, above all, the open-air life, it is found, do all that is anticipated, and the children, after the kindly treatment, grow visibly and duly qualify themselves for the desk. The medical staff of the London Comity Council has tabulated results, so that the gain in weight of the scholars who have been "treated" at the open-air schools is made apparent." ■ The children are selected , mostly from the slum districts, and, though invariably they have commenced the open-air scholastic treatment in mortal fear of draughts, they have all finished merry and bright after their year of office in the open air. Even in the winter they have to be kept out of doors, being sheltered only when it rains, and then beneath a roof only. They travel to school by tram, and their first "lesson" comprises a breakfast of bread and milk or porridge. Quaintly enough, one writer states most of them have to lie taught to appreciate these tilings, for their customary hill of fare in the slums have been fried fish and canned meats. They have, after other lessons of a more educational nature, a good dinner, and before being sent home have tea, which consists of milk, cocoa, bread and butter, with either cake or jam. The report of the medical officers upon the schools declares that children who are anaemic, listless, and miserable-looking soon become healthy, and also merry and bright. The Council has now two or three open-air schools, and is looking round for other suitable sites.