Replicating the swimming teaching model requires the participation of authorities, schools, and parents.

Nghe An Newspaper recorded the opinions of relevant people on this issue.

In 2019, the People's Committee of Dien Phuc Commune invested a swimming pool worth more than 3 billion VND in Dien Phuc Primary School. This is one of the first modern swimming pools built at a public school in the province. Photo: Duc Anh

“To prevent drowning for students, students must know how to swim and for that, the school must organize swimming lessons for students. And, to do this, the school needs to implement two factors, the first is about facilities - the school must have a swimming pool and other auxiliary works.

Swimming lessons organized at Phung Chi Kien Secondary School (Dien Chau). Photo: Duc Anh

Teacher Nguyen Trong Minh - Secretary of the Youth Union, Physical Education Teacher at Ly Nhat Quang Secondary School (Do Luong):

In addition to knowing how to swim, students need to be equipped with skills to prevent drowning.

“For more than a year now, our school has implemented the model of “The whole school knows how to swim” and Ly Nhat Quang Secondary School is also one of 21 schools selected to implement the model of the whole school students knowing how to swim by the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An. According to the plan, each course is organized by the school within 15 sessions and has an additional test session and after the course, students can master 2 basic swimming techniques: breaststroke and front crawl. In addition, when they have mastered swimming, we will teach students additional skills to prevent drowning. According to the survey, about 95% of students will know how to swim after the course.

Mr. Phung Duc Nhan - Head of Education and Training Department of Cua Lo town:

Lack of funds to implement swimming lessons in schools

“The swimming teaching policy has been implemented for many years in the form of organizing swimming lessons in schools. However, through the implementation process, we have seen many difficulties, especially in terms of funding. In fact, to organize swimming lessons, we have to mobilize parents to contribute to building swimming pools. As for the remaining funds for schools, it is very difficult because there is no budget. The Department of Education and Training also proposed to the town to invest in some swimming pools in schools, but due to financial difficulties, we have not been able to implement it.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Secretary of Do Luong District Youth Union:

Need to establish rapid first aid teams in localities

“In our area, there are many large rivers flowing through and a system of ponds and lakes in residential areas. In recent years, the District Youth Union has assigned the Youth Union branches of communes and towns to take advantage of irrigation canals and coordinate with schools to organize swimming lessons for children. The goal is for each team to organize at least one swimming class. At the same time, we focus on propaganda through loudspeakers and distributing leaflets to each hamlet and each family about preventing injuries and drowning. Every year, the Youth Union conducts inspections and puts up warning signs in dangerous areas.

The swimming pool of Ly Nhat Quang Secondary School (Do Luong) is a modular pool. Photo: Duc Anh

The inspection team of the Department of Education and Training has just inspected the work of teaching swimming and preventing drowning in 8 districts: Thanh Chuong, Anh Son, Ky Son, Nghia Dan, Quy Hop, Quy Chau, Nghi Loc, Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai town. Through the inspection, limitations were discovered such as at some locations, the inspection of signs warning of drowning risks was still limited, some signs were old and broken and had not been replaced; drowning rescue poles were not fully equipped (for example, Hoang Mai town beach; ponds and lakes in Quynh Tam commune, Quynh Luu district; Dong Hop commune, Quy Hop district; Ta Ca commune, Ky Son district; Lang Son and Khai Son communes, Anh Son district).

In addition, the implementation of directives and coordination documents is still general, inconsistent, and shows signs of coping. The involvement of some local authorities is not really drastic and regular. The consultation on the coordination regulations of relevant units in ensuring school security and safety, preventing and combating school violence, injuries, and drowning prevention is not tight.