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5,887 examinations, including re-examination and visual tests, were made during the year. Dental disease formed the largest group of defects and plans are in readiness for the establishment of a school dental service whenever funds permit. Shortsight was next in frequency; a scheme for care of myopes has been in existence for some years. All pupils attending Government schools are examined subjectively, and selected cases are examined by refraction. If necessary spectacles are provided.
Attendances at the five clinics available for school children totalled 3,692 compared with 3,265 in 1938. In addition the nurses paid 204 visits to the homes of school children to advise parents about minor ailments.
Hygiene was one of the subjects in the curriculum of all schools and training colleges, but it was realised and driven home that hygiene is a practical and not a theoretical subject and steps were taken to help children to put their theory into practice. There is still much work to be done before there will be an improvement in the ventilation in homes and the general habits of pupils outside of the school. Many of the school premises themselves are far from ideal.
(b) Physical Education.
The past year was one of development and extension in physical education.
The arrival in April of a male assistant to the Supervisor enabled the supervision of boys' schools to be extended in direction and intensity. This however was off-set in the girls' schools by the departure on leave of one physical training mistress in June, and later by staffing restrictions due to mobilisation.
The criticism that prior to entrance to a Government school no Chinese pupil enjoyed any systematic exercise is no longer valid, for the work is spreading rapidly among the vernacular schools whose rapid progress was evidenced in the excellent displays given at the Vernacular Schools Physical Education Competition. Lack of suitable grounds and accommodation was still the greatest obstacle to the development of the work in Hong Kong schools, though the vernacular schools which were without playgrounds made use of those under the control of the Children's Recreation Grounds Committee.
In all schools the value of light and little clothing now appears to be well established although a standard uniform has not yet been attained.
During the year all Government schools were supplied with portable apparatus including beams, balance benches, buck, horse, box and mats, with a corresponding stimulus to the interest in the work for older pupils.
The weekly and bi-weekly training classes for both male and female teachers started in 1938 were continued. In addition a course of ten sessions of 3 hours for teachers in grant schools was held on Wednesday mornings from May to July; eighteen teachers were released from duties by the heads of their respective schools and proved a lively and interested class. The course paid special attention to the place of athletics, field events, games and swimming in the school scheme of physical education. The special coaching practices and analysis of the teaching of field events were especially popular.
At the new Teachers Training College physical education forms part of the compulsory course and consists of a minimum 120 hours instruction during two years. The course is comprehensive and the classes are held in the University gymnasium. A most satisfactory beginning was made.