Need to replicate the swimming pool model in schools

(Baonghean.vn) - In 2016 and the first 4 months of 2017, there were 36 child drowning accidents and hundreds of children were injured in the province.

Evaluating the results of accident and drowning prevention work in 2016, the representative of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said that the rate of child accidents and injuries has decreased significantly compared to previous years.

This result is thanks to the effectiveness of State management in the field of children; propaganda and training on accident and injury prevention, drowning; inspection and supervision work...

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong chaired the meeting. Photo: Phuoc Anh

However, the delegates at the meeting also frankly acknowledged the difficulties and shortcomings. Mr. Dao Cong Loi - Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training said that swimming pools in schools are an effective solution to help reduce drowning accidents in children, however, the cost of building swimming pools exceeds the budget capacity of schools.

“Currently, the whole province only has 6 swimming pools in schools, of which 4 are in Nghia Dan district, 1 in Anh Son district and 1 in Vinh city. Notably, the 4 swimming pools in Nghia Dan district were invested in by the district People's Committee, each pool costing about 75 million VND using Italian technology. This model needs to be replicated and promoted,” said the Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training.

Mobile swimming pool model at Anh Son Town Primary School. Photo courtesy

Mr. Dao Cong Loi also raised the issue that, looking at the data on child injuries and drownings in the past year, it can be seen that the rate of children having accidents in school is very low.

“Most children have accidents while working, playing, etc. outside of school. This raises issues about the awareness and management role of families and local authorities. During the summer, who will monitor, manage, and urge the children? We currently lack playgrounds and entertainment areas for children, especially children in rural and mountainous areas who often have the habit of playing and bathing in rivers and streams, which pose many potential risks of accidents.”

Frankly acknowledging the shortcomings in the work of preventing child injuries and drowning, Mr. Duong Hoang Vu - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union said: "Every year, sectors and units issue many directive documents. When going to the grassroots to inspect, most of them have implementation documents but in reality, the effectiveness and efficiency are not high."

The Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union said that in 2016, the whole province installed more than 2,000 warning signs of dangerous areas and taught swimming to about 600 children. Although the Youth Union officials at all levels have made great efforts, due to difficulties in human resources and operating costs, the number is still too modest compared to practical needs.

Child drowning increases during summer

There are still many shortcomings in propaganda work. Mr. Vi Ngoc Quynh - Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shared: "During the inspection process, it was found that radio programs in many localities did not mention the content of preventing and combating child injuries and drowning, while this is a propaganda channel that reaches every family and every person. This needs to be corrected."

At the meeting, many recommendations and proposals were raised by representatives of various sectors and organizations. Notably, there was an opinion from a representative of the Department of Justice: "It is necessary to assign responsibility to the leaders, only then can we increase the responsibility and role of local Party committees and authorities, and reduce child injuries and drowning."

Listening to and analyzing the opinions of representatives of departments and branches, concluding the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong acknowledged the responsibilities of departments, branches and organizations; at the same time, directed that in 2017, it is necessary to continue promoting communication and education activities to raise awareness of agencies, organizations and individuals on preventing and combating child injuries and drowning.

Along with that, strengthen inter-sectoral coordination; organize swimming classes, equip safety skills in the water environment; organize handover, reception and management of children for summer activities in communes, wards and towns; strengthen inspection, examination and supervision of regulations on traffic safety, safe homes, safe schools, safe communities for children. In particular, the target of reducing child injuries and drowning will be included in the annual assessment.

Phuoc Anh