Issues Surrounding Residential Schools

Among the material aspects surrounding residential schools, health care problems were the biggest concern to staff and students. The health of students was not highly regarded unless there was reason to believe it was a serious illness, such as the outbreaks of measles, tonsillitis, Spanish influenza, and tuberculosis to name a few. “Although outbreaks of various diseases hit schools from time to time, tuberculosis continued to be the biggest threat to the lives of residential schoolchildren” (Miller, pg. 304), noted Miller in his writing. Schools reportedly accepted children who were ill to maintain their grants and continue to augment their enrolment numbers. Poverty amongst the schools made it difficult to provide the necessary