PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |
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BARBADOS.
It seems to Sir Frederic Hodgson most necessary in the interests of all schools that the co-operation of the people concerned in this important matter should be
enlisted.
The matter has been brought under the notice of the Board of Education, who state that they would be willing to introduce into the schools of the Colony a hand- book prepared in accordance with paragraph 3 of the circular of the 7th of October.
BERMUDA.
In the latter part of 1902 a reading-book dealing with questions of hygiene was distributed in the schools receiving grants under the Board of Education, but no further and organized steps were taken in the matter, pending the considera- tion by the House of Assembly of the report of the Schools Commission and the report of the Committee appointed to investigate the causes of the exceptional number of cases of enteric fever in the Colony during the latter portion of 1901 and during the year 1902. The then Governor regretted to say that there was so much ignorance and apathy in the Colony on the subject of hygiene that it appeared to him necessary in the first place to educate the public mind. With this object in view the General Board of Health issued à leaflet on the subject of enteric fever, and others on the subject of the mosquito pest and the methods for its extermination have been ordered for distribution throughout the Colony. The Governor had been considering the feasibility of providing for a course of lectures on the subject of sanitation, and proposed to invite the attendance of school teachers especially. In choosing the syllabus of the schools of the Colony which are under the Board of Education, he expressed his intention of using his influence to give a stated and prominent position therein to such subjects as sanitation and temperance. There were, in his opinion, in Bermuda no requirements which were more urgent than the improvement of the educational system and the teaching of the observance of sanitation, and he stated that he was resolved to exert all his influence to secure attention to both subjects.
Since Sir H. Geary's despatch was written, all the teachers of the schools under the Board of Education have been supplied with a text-book on hygiene (Loudon' Elementary Course); and, since January, 1904, hygiene has been included among the subjects of examination for a teacher's certificate. It is also proposed to arrange for a course of lessons to the teachers on some branches of the practical work of domestic economy and hygiene.
BRITISH GUIANA.
The Governor encloses copies of a circular memorandum which he caused to be distributed to school managers and head teachers, directing that at all annual examinations held on and after July 1st, 1904, certain "hints and suggestions,” prepared by the Acting Surgeon-General for the prevention of consumption and other forms of tuberculosis may be used to test the reading of the children in standards seven and eight. The Governor states that tuberculous disease is one of the principal causes of the high death-rate in the Colony, and the one which it is desired first to take steps to deal with. He adds that it is felt that at present and until elementary education has made further progress, any attempt to widen the scope of the children's instruction in the direction suggested would not be likely to prove successful.
BRITISH HONDURAS.
The Board of Education has had under consideration the question of endeavour- ing to teach the elements of tropical hygiene in the schools, and the Colonial Surgeon considers that it would be possible to arrange for a course of lectures in Belize. A textbook is, however, necessary for use in schools. Before any further steps are taken the Governor would be glad to receive copies of the lectures referred to in the third paragraph of Sir William MacGregor's despatch of the 6th July, 1903.
JAMAICA.
The children in the upper divisions of the elementary schools are expected to be taught the rudiments of hygiene.
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The course of domestic economy for women's colleges also includes a good deal of hygiene under the heads of "Care of the body," "Treatment of simple accidents," The men also receive, as a matter of fact, some instruction of the same kind in their training colleges which is not down in the syllabus. If such handbooks and primers as the Secretary of State refers to were procurable, they would certainly be utilized.
Steps are now being taken to prepare a pamphlet on elementary hygiene, and six copies will be sent to the Colonial Office when it has been published.
LEEWARD ISLANDS.
The Governor stated that he would take an early opportunity of conferring with Sir Daniel Morris with a view to the introduction of lectures on sanitation into the secondary schools with the assistance of the science lecturer already pro- vided by the Imperial Department. The Governor has also requested the authorities of the Public Works Department to impress upon workmen on Government work the necessity of using boiled or filtered water instead of pond water. The Governor added that the cost of instruction in hygiene, if extended to elementary schools, had to be considered, if it were likely to be commensurate with results, and that it should be borne in mind that many of the schoolmasters and mistresses are not sufficiently enlightened to teach sanitation, that the salaries they receive are so small that no better class of teachers can be expected for the present, and that their appointment does not rest in the first instance with the Government, except in the case of Dominica.
TRINIDAD.
Arrangements have been made for simple lectures on hygiene and sanitation, to be delivered by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health to Sanitary Inspectors and teachers in elementary schools, and leaflets couched in simple language are being prepared by Dr. Dixon for use in the elementary schools and for circulation amongst school children.
WINDWARD ISLANDS.
GRENADA.
The Governor has had the circular and its enclosures printed and discussed by the Board of Education, and copies sent to all the Medical Officers who have been invited to co-operate in the matter. The Governor states that it is very difficult to arouse any interest in the subject, and still more so as it would require a grant for the pass and consequently more expense to the Colony, which is now objecting to the ever-increasing cost of primary education.
ST. LUCIA.
The Inspector of Schools suggests that 50 copies of the handbooks and primers referred to in the circular should be supplied, and the Medical Officers asked to co-operate with lectures.
ST. VINCENT.
The Executive Council do not think that either teachers or school children at the present day can usefully be given such instruction. If suitable primers and handbooks are published the Governor will be glad to be supplied with 200 copies for distribution amongst the schools in the Windward Islands. The Governor "has since forwarded a report, signed by all the Medical Officers of Grenada, from which it appears that they are unwilling to assist in initiating the work, but he has no doubt that some will help on any lines that have been worked out elsewhere, if supplied with the necessary materials and details.
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APPENDIX I.
LECTURES TO TEACHERS.----THREE WEEKS' COURSE.