EDUCATIONAL REFORM

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL REFORM

An extension of the medical supervision of school pupils and improved physical training were reforms announced by the Minister of Education as being' part of the Government's education programme. Universal free issues of milk to pupils and an extension of their dental supervision were other features of the programme that are to have prompt attention. Apparently Mr. Mason is satisfied that funds can be made available for the additional expend-i.ure his proposals will entail. If that is the position there will be little criticism of the programme outlined by the Minister. It is in fact more an extension of services already established than a change in policy, and there is already a fairly widespread appreciation of the value of those services and of the need for physical training in schools. The constant efforts to increase school playing grounds, the establishment of swimming pools and gymnasiums afford evidence of the interest shown in the physical welfare of school pupils. # # # # If further evidence of the need for physical training- of school pupils is required it can be found in the results of the medical examinations of recruits for the defence forces. The percentage of men rejected for physical disability has not been made public, but it is known that it was higher than should have been the case in a community enjoying the highest general standard of living in a country in which climatic and industrial conditions should ensure a high standard of physical fitness among young men. With indisputable facts before it the Government is acting wisely in seeking to bring about a higher standard of fitness by extending the medical and dental supervision of school children, by supplying them with milk and by giving them physical training based on the most modern teachings. Actually the authorities are seeking to prevent rather than to cure ill-health or lack of normality by more efficient care of the youth of the Dominion. It was not clear from Mr. Mason's statement

whether medical inspection will begin ;in the kindergarten schools. If this is the intention some reply has been made to the criticism that between infancy, when such organisations as the Plunket Society do much to prevent sickness, and school age there is a gap in the supervision of child welfare. The nature of the supervision must be left to experts to decide. Officers of the school medical and dental services have shown considerable enthusiasm for their work and will no doubt welcome the Government's proposals for an extension of the services. * * * *

But however efficient and enthusiastic teachers and medical and dental experts may be, responsibility will still rest upon parents if the full benefit of the reforms is to be obtained. Experts have drawn attention on many occasions, for instance, to the necessity for a more wholesome diet for children. They have shown thedll-effects of unsuit- . able feeding, and although some of their recommendations for an ideal diet for children are beyond the financial resources of many parents there are other improvements in the feeding and care of children that are within the reach of most households. The desire to give every child an equal opportunity of acquiring a sound education is the cardinal feature of the Dominion's education system. It is now recognised that wise physical training is part of a sound education and that expenditure to improve the health of school pupils, is a sound investment. # * # * Regarded merely from the economic point of view such care of children is more than justified. If for lack of it a child grows to a weakly adolescence, he becomes a burden on the community because he cannot contribute his quota towards the industrial life of the Dominion. Social workers find constantly adults and adolescents who seek aid from the State as invalids who might have been fully useful citizens had they received medical attention and proper care while they were children. It would be interesting to know what .proportion of invalidity pensions are being paid because of ignorance and neglect of so-called "childish ailments." And directly or indirectly the care of these unfortunate individuals becomes a burden upon the rest of the community. From the humanitarian standpoint the argument in favour oi greater , attention to the physical needs and training of school children is unanswerable. Public opinion will support gladly any wise efforts in this direction.