Swimming in Schools

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

Swimming in Schools

GRANT FOR TUITION It was advised at Wednesday .. meeting of the Wanganui Education Board that the Department of Edin-a-tion had made a grant towards the tuition of swimming in schools in the board’s district. After discussion it was decided that the money is to be used to enable children in country schools with no ready access to baths to learn to swim by conveying them to other schools where baths are available* The “Learn-to-Swim” week was the subject of favourable comment by the board, and a report was tabled from the senior inspector of schools, Mr. W. J. Boden, touching ou the teaching of swimming in schools. It read hs follows: — “During 1937 we paid special attention to the teaching of swimming in our schools. We found that 54 schools had facilities tor taking swimming and in every case these were used. This may appear to be only a small percentage, as it is only about 25 per cent, of our schools, but we must remember that this number includes almost all our large schools. Consequently a very large number of the children in our schools arc receiving instruction. “A very large number of our small schools have no facilities but in some districts the teachers have enlisted tin*, co-operation of the parents and have constructed very suitable ponds in neighbouring streams. Our teachers are to be commended for the splendid manner in which they responded to the appeal made in the ’ week. The progress made during that period by many of the pupils was really remarkable. We anticipate very good results from tho swimming practice which the pupils arc receiving this month. ’ ’

The Times