DROWNINGS OF CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22307, 22 January 1938, Page 14

DROWNINGS OF CHILDREN

EDUCATION BOARD SEEKS REMEDY SWIMMING INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS URGED ACTION BY DEPARTMENT SOUGHT The urgency of the need for swimming instruction in the schools, especially in view of the numbers of drowning fatalities in the school holidays, will again be brought to the notice of the Minister for Education 'the Hon. P. Fraser). The Canterbury Education Board decided yesterday to refer the board's previous recommendations to him, and to ask him to provide a grant for restoring school swimming baths, particularly those which were in a dangerous state of repair.

The numerous drowning accidents should be used to press home the need for instruction in swimming and liferaving in the schools, said Mr C. S. Thompson. Facilities should be provided in the schools.

Reference to the drowning of the son of the headmaster of the Waikari School (Mr G. W. Soal) was made by the chairman (Mr J. W. Preen). It was clear, he added, that in these days instruction was necessary. Many children, however, had been receiving instruction in the holidays. Mr J. J. Hurley: I think the time is opportune for this committee to take definite steps with the department in this direction. Drowning accidents are all too frequent. Mr Thompson: Something should be done to lessen the tremendous loss of life through drowning. Mr Hurley suggested that the board apply for a grant to restore unsound baths and to provide swimming instruction.

Mr W. P. Spencer: It is a very big question. It is impossible, of course, lor swimming baths to be built at every school. Mr G. Benstead: Until the Minister puts swimming instruction on the school time-table, and makes it compulsory for physically fit children, there will always be fatalities. In answer to a suggestion that insufficient teachers competent to teach swimming would be found, Mr R. Wild said that of 200 student teachers from the Normal School, only two were unable to swim, and the majority held the recognised life-saving qualifications.

A telegram should be sent to the Minister, Mr Wild suggested, stating that in view of the sad loss of young lives, the attention of the department should be called to the board's previous recommendations. "It is very seldom that you hear of a non-swimmer being drowned," said Mr W. A. Banks. "It is usually the learner or the swimmer who is drowned."

Some persons, he added, were physically unable to swim, and accordingly he thought the board should give careful consideration to any resolution it meant to pass. He himself could not swim.

Inquiries then made informally among the members of the board showed that several of them were unable to swim.

After further discussion, the board decided to make representations to the Minister.