The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-02-04
EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION,

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION,
For the year ending July l, 1914. there
were % cities and towns that offered in
their elementary schools courses in man.
ual training. II conducted mechanic arts
courses in their secondary schools. These
figures represented gain of 8 cities and
towns offering elementary courses and 6
offering secondary courses. 80 teachers
of manual training were employed in the
public schools in 1914 where Is were
employed in the preceding year.
Household arts courses were given for
the year ending July LIST, 1914, in the
elementary schools of 26 cities and towns
against 81 for the preceding year, while
9 high schools, representing an increase
of schools, offered courses in household
arts. These figures reflect the results
of the encouraging legislation of 1911
that was enacted with view to increas-
ing the attention paid in the public
schools to the practical arts.
The total expense to the towns and
State of these practical arts courses in
the public schools was $42, 1884, This ex-
pense, amounting to less than per cent
of the cost of maintaining public, COM
mon and secondary education, should al
lay the fears of those who believe that
the school courses are too seriously in
vaded by education of this type
Evening schools were conducted last
year under the provisions of the enact
ment of 1911 in Is different cities and
towns at total expense OF SIT, 572. The
enrolment in these evening schools was
2734. The extent of individual instruction
offered in the evening schools is implied
by the number of teaching positions,
which was 145. Additional to these phas-
es of industrial education are the cours-
es offered in academies and similar priv
ate schools. II of these schools conduct
ed courses in agriculture in 1894, 8
had courses in mechanic arts, and 3 had
courses in domestic arts.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
According to the Maine school report
for 1874, the medical inspection act of
1909 provided for the appointment of
school physicians.
During the first full year of the opera
ton of the medical inspection act there
were employed forty-nine school phys-
clans. ST. 200 children were given the eye
Lof%
understanding of the law, examinations
were more generally and effectively
given. In this last examination ia, 529
children v ere given the eye and ear tests
with the result that II, $50 were found to
have defective vision and 3, 673 to have
defective hearing. "a were found who
were totally blind.
Superintendent report that much diff
ficulty is experienced in securing the at
tention of parents to the notices that are
sent The school examination is intend
ed only to reveal gross defects and should
be followed with examination by an ex-
pert, land when necessary with treatment.
SooVoS Ny lbC lCp Ol VI ioSoi
officers. it appears that less than half
the cases receive the subsequent atten-
ton that the notification should imply
Last year 33 towns and cities acted
favorably on that clause Of the law
which authorizes the appointment of
school physicians, So of whom were en-
pIoyed at a cost of S493S
This average cost of less than 500 for
each physician employed indicates a
generous professional spirit on the part
of the men who have served as medical
inspectors and implies that few towns
need reject plan of medical inspection
on the score of expense. The amounts
paid by towns for this service ranged
from s. to $500. In numerous instance
service was secured at S25, $50 and SIS a
year. The average service rendered by
each physician amounted approximately
to eight schools days. These physicians
found, during the year, 1888 pupils who
should be reported to their family physi-
clans for further examination and tor
treatment for physical defects or infect
GUS disease.
The duties of school physicians extend
likewise to an inspection of school build
ings and premises with proper reports
on the condition thereof. 1t is hardly
possible to over-estimate the important
and beneficial results of the medical in
spection already in practice. Pupils
formerly accounted dull have with re-
cognitlon of their needs been given pro-
per consideration and correct physical
and educational treatment. Infectious
diseases have been detected in their early
stages and their rapid spread prevented.
School premises have been made more
sanitary and wholesome.
The experience of the State during the
few years the act has been operative
justifes the more rapid adoption by other
communities of the full provisions of the