Purpose of the workshop: Discovering problems and suggesting realistic ways of improving mental
hygiene in the classroom.
 A census of the mental health needs in the schools and communities represented by the group revealed
many problems. These problems are given below, with some of the solutions suggested by the group:
I. Promotion of mental health in the prenatal and preschool stage-through improved prenatal and child-
 welfare services.
 2. Homely atmosphere in the school-through smaller classes.
 3. Application of the science of child psychology-through better training of teachers.
 4. Prevention of mental strain in schools-through five-minute breaks between subjects.
 5. Promotion of mental health-mixed schools (co-education) throughout the country should be helpful
 here.
 6. Sex education-sex education, good or bad, begins at home long before the child starts school. The
 approach to it, therefore, seems to be through community education; and example on the part of parents
 and teachers is far more effective than precept. Sex education in school should be integrated in the total
 education programme at all levels. It should not be singled out for separate or undue emphasis. Sex
 should be taught positively by showing its nobility in terms of creative drive and family happiness rather
 than negatively through the enumeration of examples of immorality. It should point toward fuller, better
 home and family living so that young people may be better prepared for marriage and adult life.
 7. Fear used as a form of discipline-cannot be recommended.
 8. Nervousness in children-often caused by insufficient rest, irregular and unbalanced diet, insecurity and
 uncertainty. Sometimes the nervous child is the "unwanted" child. The Social Welfare Department
 should co-operate with teachers in these cases and adoption measures for unwanted children should be
 the subject of legislation.
 9. Sensitive children-parent education, through community workshop where parents could discuss their
 children's problems.
10. Day Dreaming-lessons should be short and active; children should be encouraged to take active part
 in discussions.
11. Dishonesty in school-mainly the result of home conditions; it is more a social than a mental health
 problem; improved teacher-parent relation might be helpful.
 The "problem" child, should be the object of systematic study by teachers and education officers, public
 health nurses and medical officers.