SHOULD SWIMMING BE MADE COMPULSORY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 76

SHOULD SWIMMING BE MADE COMPULSORY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

CBrenda takes the affirmative.)

Mr Chairman and Comrades, — Our subject to-night is, "Should Swimmirig be Made Compulsory in Schools?" I have given much thought to the subject, and I have come- to the conclusion that it should be taught in al 1 schools — in other words, made compulsory. Swimming is at noble sport, and also splendid exercise. The knowledge of it has saved many lives that would otherwise have been lost in the numerous accidents that have occurred from various causes on river, lake, and ocean. It is a delightful form of recreation and exercise far all who are strong enough to bear the shock of the cold water — that is to say, it is always delightful except on the occasion of iho first bath of the summer. Directly you come out on that day you have a etifE back and neck and a general impression that the rack of the fifteenth century was a luxury by comparison. But this only shows what splendid exercise it is, as it exercises muscles not otherwise used. It seems to me that we would not h.ear nearly so much about the "physical degeneration of the nation" if we all learned to swim well; for surely the strength necessary U, force one's way against a strong current would do much to improve the physique of the nation. Probably if would cause a moral improvement also, for a "healthy body leads to a healthy mind," and it certainly does require a certain amount of moral courage to plunge into cold water, even if the day is warm. Swimming is eminently suitable for both boys and girls; thought, perhaps, particularly so for the former. If it were made compulsory, of course it would be necessary to make exceptions to the rule. It might be well to have a medical inspection every year, when the swimming classes were started, so as to run no risk of danger in regard to the more delicate children; for it would be obviously absurd to force delicate boys and girls to stand a shock which is only suitable for strong ones. This would certainly be a danger in making the rule; but I think the oourse I have suggested, as well as a careful inspection after the batiie in order to note if any of the pupils were suffering from the effect of the cold water, would obviate it. Another argument which might be advanced against compulsory swimming might be the difficulty in getting sufficient water. The answer to this is that nearly, if not all, New Zealand schools are near a pond (I mean a clean pond), river, or creek of sufficient depth to swim in. If in its natural j state the river or creek are not deep enough, the boys probably would not need much urging to dam it up so as to make it sufficiently deep. "They would enjoy doing it. and woidd not mind giving a little of their tinio to a work which would give them pleasure for many months. The question of instruction is a more difficult one. It would be impossible for the present Government teachers to be expected to teach swimming in addition to their alleady multitudinous duties; at the same time it would be impossible to send a separate instrtictor to each district, though this could be done in some parts where there are a good many schools within reasonable travelling distance. In the back blocks, where schools are- few und far between, perhaps it would be possible to find an individual with a knowledge of swimming who would be willing, "for a consideration," to impart instruction on the subject for an hour twice a week — half the time to the girls and half to the- boys. In large towns the question of instruction presents no difficulties, since one or two men could do the whole thing, as the schools would simply go to the public baths, engaging them, for a certain time as some of the large schools do now. I think these are the chief arguments that could be adduced against the question, and I trust I have found answers to them. I have studied the question for some time, aaid have coma to the conclusion that for many reasons, the chief of which I have given to you, it would be well if all learned swimming; for not only would it give great pleasure to pupils during the summer (for it wcnld bo necessary to stop the classes in winter), but it would give us a race of healthy, hearty boys and girls such as New Zealand might well be proud of. This is a subject I am deeply interested in, and I hope tb* majority oF the members of the D.L.F. Debating Club will agree with mft in hoping soms clay to sea swimming made compulsory in schools. BRENDA.