Nghe An province will support investment in 178 swimming pools and provide swimming lessons for children.
(Baonghean.vn) - According to a resolution recently passed by the Provincial People's Council, in 2024 Nghe An province will support investment in 178 swimming pools (of which 76 are in communes belonging to Zone III).
On the morning of July 7th, continuing the program of the 14th Session, the Provincial People's Council heard and approved the draft resolutions submitted to the session. The Nghe An Provincial People's Council approved the draft resolution stipulating policies to support investment in swimming pools and organize swimming lessons for children in Nghe An province.
Nghe An province is affected by unpredictable hot weather and heavy rains, leading to a high risk of drowning among children. According to data reported by the Provincial People's Committee, from 2016 to 2022, 293 children in the province died from drowning.
Recognizing the importance and necessity of this issue, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has, over the years, directed and issued numerous documents to strengthen drowning prevention and swimming instruction for children, achieving certain results. Functional agencies have implemented many measures and solutions to reduce drowning accidents. However, drowning incidents remain frequent, with most child drownings occurring in rural and mountainous areas where economic conditions are difficult and access to swimming pools for children is limited.
According to statistics in Nghe An province, the total number of children and students who know how to swim is 17.3% at the primary school level and 33.6% at the secondary school level; the percentage of children and students aged 6 to 15 is 23.6%.
Currently, the province has 216 swimming pools that meet the required size (111 fixed pools and 105 mobile pools), and 76 mixed-use pools, wading pools, temporary cages, ponds, and lakes created by the people themselves to teach children to swim. However, these mixed-use pools are unsafe and do not meet the required standards.
Most swimming pools are built by individuals and businesses for commercial investment purposes in economically affluent central areas such as Vinh City, Cua Lo Town, and Dien Chau District... Children in rural and mountainous areas, and poor children, have very limited access to swimming lessons.
Therefore, the issuance of the Resolution on supporting policies to support investment in swimming pools and swimming lessons for children in localities and schools aims to: popularize swimming for children aged 6-15, equip them with knowledge and skills to prevent and combat drowning to ensure their safety, and maintain the habit of practicing swimming to improve the health, stature, and physical fitness of children in Nghe An province; and develop a system of grassroots sports facilities to organize sports activities in residential areas, meeting the needs for creativity, cultural enjoyment, and sports training of all strata of the population.
By 2025, the goal is to: 50% of children aged 9-16 be proficient in swimming and possess safe water skills; 100% of districts, cities, and towns will complete the implementation of the "All children in the commune know how to swim" and "All students in the school know how to swim" models; and reduce the number of child deaths due to drowning by 5-10%.
Accordingly, the Resolution stipulates the level of support as follows: Each commune-level unit will receive funding to invest in one mobile swimming pool (minimum size 8m x 18m), at the following rates:
For commune-level units in areas I and III of ethnic minority and mountainous regions, up to 100% of the investment cost for swimming pools will be supported, but not exceeding 100 million VND per pool.
For the remaining commune-level units in the province, a maximum of 70% of the investment cost for swimming pools will be supported, but not exceeding 70 million VND per pool.
Quantity: In 2024, support was provided for 178 swimming pools (of which 76 were in communes in Zone III).
Target audience for swimming instruction:
At the commune level, schools organize swimming lessons for children from poor and near-poor households living in communes in Zone III of ethnic minority and mountainous areas.
Eligibility requirements: Teachers and instructors must possess a Certificate of Completion of Professional Training for swimming and diving instructors and lifeguards.
Level of support: maximum 20 million VND/commune/year.
This Resolution takes effect from January 1, 2024 and expires on December 31, 2025.