A survey of the educational system of the Philippine islands by the Board of educational survey, created under acts 3162 and 3196 of the Philippine Legislature.

450 EDUCATIONAL SURVEY OF THE PHILIPPINES

(9) Observation of the physical-education program in the schools.
(10) Attendance at the National Track and Field Championships.
PROCEDURE IN THE REPORT.-In presenting this report of the survey of health and physical education in the Philippine schools, the
following plan will be used: a statement giving definition and scope
of health education and of physical education will be followed by a
detailed analysis of these two activities of the schools in the light of
the statement made. Because of the recently developed interest in
health education and the newer methods devised, and because of the
frequently distorted character of physical education, it is important to
present definitions and scope. The report will conclude with recommendations.
DEFINITION OF HEALTH EDUCATION.-Health education may be
defined as the sum of experiences useful in promoting vigorous health.
These experiences may occur in the school or on the playground; many
will occur outside the immediate school environment.
SCOPE OF HEALTH EDUCATION.-This report will deal with three
aspects of health education: (I) supervision, (2) instruction, and (3)
research.
(1) Health supervision (frequently called medical inspection and
often meaning nothing more than mere inspection superficially performed)
is concerned with: (a) Daily health inspection for early signs of disease and for observation of the general hygienic condition of the pupils;
(b) periodic health examinations for the detection of disease, defect,
and deformity not readily revealed by the more limited inspection;
(c) treatment and follow-up of cases discovered in examination; (d)
detection and correction of insanitary conditions in the school, i. e.,
school sanitation; (e) and determination and modification of debilitating conditions in the school, such as the use of unhygienic materials
in the instruction and fatigue among school children.
(2) Health instruction is concerned with the knowledge, skills, habits,
and attitudes important for health. Physiology, hygiene, and sanitation
constitute the scientific knowledge which is to help in the acquisition
of hygienic skills, in the formation of health habits, and in the development of wholesome attitudes. Except for the need for school credit,
physiology, hygiene, and sanitation in the elementary school are never
to be considered as academic subjects. Their prime purpose is to
modify conduct in the direction of more wholesome living. Here as
elsewhere the results of instruction depend upon the leadership. The
quality of health instruction in normal schools is therefore an important
consideration.