Mandate for mandatory swimming classes in primary education advocated by liberals
In 2024, Germany witnessed a concerning increase in fatal drowning accidents, with the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) reporting a total of 411 incidents, a rise of 31 from the previous year. This alarming trend has prompted the Left party to present an action plan aimed at addressing the issue.
The plan, spearheaded by Jan van Aken of the DLRG, emphasises the importance of swimming as a vital skill and a basic right. It calls for mandatory swimming lessons in every elementary school, a demand that underscores the urgency of improving the nation's swimming education.
One of the key proposals in the action plan is the introduction of a "swimming pool euro" for children and young people. This initiative aims to make the entry fee for public swimming pools permanently and universally affordable, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to learning this essential skill.
Moreover, the plan advocates for an annual investment program of at least one billion euros for swimming pools in the coming years. This substantial investment is intended to counter the trend of approximately 70 to 80 swimming pools closing annually in Germany, often due to financial constraints faced by municipalities.
However, the DLRG has not proposed any new specific measures or action plans in response to the increase in accidents. Instead, the organisation has attributed the rise to the closure of swimming pools, highlighting the need for sustained investment in swimming infrastructure.
The shortage of staff in swimming pools has also become a significant issue, according to the DLRG. The action plan addresses this concern by calling for more staff in swimming pools.
Jan van Aken, in his argument, contends that the provision and maintenance of swimming pools should be a statutory duty of the state, not a voluntary act. He emphasises that the closure of pools prevents children from learning to swim, a serious concern given the trend of fewer children learning to swim, leading to an increase in accidents.
As of now, there are no available search results specifying where the financial resources from Jan van Aken's announced annual investment program for improving swimming pool infrastructure in the 2025-2026 school year will be allocated. Nonetheless, the action plan serves as a clear call to action, urging policymakers to prioritise the safety and education of children in and around water.
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