South Yorkshire Times — Friday, 15 June 1934
Healthy School Children
Medical Survey of Conisboro’ District
The question of the provision of school meals was again discussed at a meeting of the Conisborough Education Sub-Committee yesterday. Mr. H. Gomersall was re-elected chairman and Mr. B. Roberts was elected vice-chairman.
The medical report on the condition of the children in the schools stated that there were 3,004 children on the rolls, and the percentage definitely suffering from malnutrition was only 1.2. The percentage below the normal standard of nutrition was 11.3. The condition of the children did not seem any worse than those in any similar area, and many of the children who were below standard would not be much improved by food, because they had an unsatisfactory physique.
The Chairman remarked that they had to accept that report no matter what they thought about it.
Mrs. Wright: “I think there would have been a very different verdict if some of the parents had not gone without it, in order that their children might have food.”
Mr. Roberts: “What percentage of children should we have to be suffering from malnutrition before we could put into operation the School Feeding Act?”
The Clerk: “It would have to be much higher than this.”
The resignations of Miss H. Finch from the staff of the Denaby Main School, and Miss H. Piper from Balby Street, were reported, and the appointment of Miss V. Starr as successor to Miss Piper was recommended.