Nghe An will support investment in 178 swimming pools and teach swimming to children.

On the morning of July 7, continuing the 14th Session, the Provincial People's Council listened to and approved the draft Resolutions submitted to the session. The Nghe An Provincial People's Council approved the draft Resolution regulating policies to support investment in swimming pools and organizing swimming lessons for children in Nghe An province.

Nghe An is a locality affected by hot weather and erratic rain and floods, leading to a high risk of children drowning. According to the report of the Provincial People's Committee, from 2016 to 2022, the whole province had 293 children die from drowning.

Recognizing the importance and necessity, in recent years, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has directed and issued many documents to strengthen the work of preventing drowning and teaching swimming to children, which has achieved certain results. The functional sectors have had many measures and solutions to limit drowning accidents. However, drowning still occurs frequently, children who drown are mostly concentrated in rural and mountainous areas where economic conditions are difficult, and the ability to let children learn to swim in swimming pools is very limited.

According to statistics in Nghe An, the total number of children and students who know how to swim in primary school is 17.3%; in secondary school it is 33.6%; the rate of children and students from 6 to 15 years old is 23.6%.

Currently, the province has 216 swimming pools that meet the size requirements (111 fixed pools and 105 mobile pools), 76 mixed pools, wading pools, temporary cages, ponds, and lakes created by the people themselves to teach children to swim. However, these mixed pools are not safe and do not meet the requirements according to regulations.

Most swimming pools are built by individuals and businesses for business investment purposes in central areas with high economic conditions such as Vinh city, Cua Lo town, Dien Chau district... Children in rural areas, mountainous areas, and poor children have very limited swimming lessons.

Therefore, the issuance of the Resolution on supporting policies to support investment in swimming pools and teaching swimming to children for localities and schools to purchase and build mobile swimming pools with the goal of: Universalizing swimming for children aged 6-15, equipping them with knowledge and skills to prevent and combat drowning to ensure children's safety, while maintaining the habit of practicing swimming to improve health, stature and physical strength for children in Nghe An province; Developing a system of grassroots sports facilities to organize sports activities in residential areas, meeting the needs of creativity, cultural enjoyment and sports training of all classes of people.

Strive by 2025: 50% of children aged 9-16 will be taught swimming and know water safety skills; 100% of districts, cities and towns will complete the construction of the model "Children in the whole commune know how to swim", "Students in the whole school know how to swim" and reduce the number of children who die from drowning by 5-10%.

Accordingly, the Resolution stipulates the support level: Each commune-level unit is supported with investment funding for 01 mobile swimming pool (minimum size 8m x 18m), at the following levels:

For commune-level units in regions I and III of ethnic minority and mountainous areas, support is provided for up to 100% of swimming pool investment costs, but not exceeding 100 million VND/pool.

For the remaining commune-level units of the province, support is provided for up to 70% of the swimming pool investment cost but not more than 70 million VND/pool.

Quantity: In 2024, support 178 swimming pools (of which communes in region III have 76 swimming pools).

Swimming teaching support objects:

Commune and school levels organize swimming lessons for children from poor and near-poor households living in communes in Region III, ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Support conditions: Teachers and instructors must have a Certificate of completion of professional training for swimming and diving instructors and lifeguards.

Support level: maximum 20 million VND/commune/year.

This Resolution takes effect from January 1, 2024 and expires on December 31, 2025./.