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Let's bring back the nit nurse
Recently a relative of mine was asked to remove her five-year-old child from school mid-morning due to the child apparently having head lice.
This was not done discreetly but in front of the child's classmates and other parents. I understand that the child and parents were very upset and embarrassed.
The child, who loves school and being educated, was very distraught and even at such an early age, was fully aware of the situation and did not want to return to school after the weekend.
Thankfully this child has compassionate and understanding parents who explained that this situation was not the child's fault and that the child's love for school and education would continue.
The said parents have two children and explained to me that they spend at least 12 per week on head lice medication to assure that their children do not suffer this unnecessary infection. They also informed me that they are unable to receive any kind of medication from their doctors on prescription. A cost of around nearly 50 per month for a two-child family on low income to make as sure as possible that their children do not contact head lice is just outrageous.
School
We are living in the year 2008 but still head lice continue to burden child, parent and school.
I do not understand what the headmistress has actually accomplished by sending one child home.
Obviously, if there was a case for panic, then the headmistress and to the school should do something positive about the situation – so why doesn't she start a campaign to bring back the 'nit nurse'?
This would be a more positive, reliable and cheaper way for families and schools to live without such drastic unnecessary action which could have caused more than upset and embarrassment.
NICK PEARSON, Gipton, Leeds
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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