SAFETY FIRST.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 2

SAFETY FIRST.

N.Z.’S YOUNG SWIMMERS. AN INTERESTING RETURN. In all schools where reasonable facilities exist teachers should be required lo give the children instruction in swimming. A resolution on those lines has been passed by the Council of Education, which had before it, at its recent conference, some interesting returns on the subject, received from 80 per cent, of schools in New Zealand. It was shown that practically half (49.8 per cent.) of the schools which supplied information had facilities of some sort for the teaching of swimming. There were natural facilities (chiefly rivers, ponds in creeks, and the sea) at 38.8 per cent, of schools, while 11 per cent, enjoyed the privilege of baths either at the school or in the town. Instances occurred where enthusiastic teachers took the children several miles in motor-cars after school hours to the nearest swimming places. Swimming instruction was given in two-thirds of the schools which had facilities for it. If it were assumed that the outstanding returns from the 20 per cent, of schools would make little difference to the percentage figures it might be stated that 24 per cent, of the children in the standard classes throughout the Dominion were able to swim. The effect of climatic conditions was noticeable in the variation of the number, ranging from 32 per cent, in Hawke’s Bay to 10 per cent, in Southland. Where facilities existed little expense was incurred. Some 817 head teachers stated that the expenses were, or would be, nil. It was stated that 38 schools had an annual expenditure of under £5, and the remaining 37 schools spent from £5 to £4O per year. In the last- mentioned group were schools the pupils of which paid to attend public city baths. In a few cases the rates on the water used at the school baths were high.