There is high summer heat over large parts of the country and the bathing areas are filled with visitors. At the same time, the Swedish National Agency for Education’s latest survey shows that the number of children who cannot swim is increasing. According to the Swedish Lifesaving Society, 73 people died last year in drowning accidents and now they demand that swimming lessons be introduced earlier in school.
– If nothing is done, we fear that drowning accidents will increase, says Mikael Olausson, secretary general of the Swedish Lifesaving Society.
According to the Norwegian School Board, the number of students who do not pass the swimming requirements is increasing. The most recent survey showed that there were roughly 8,300 pupils in year six who are unable to swim 200 metres, of which 50 meters are backstroke. The Swedish Lifesaving Society claims that one of the problems is that there are too few swimming pools.
– A lot of swimming pools were built in the 1960s and 70s. They are now starting to crack. We need to build a lot more. And this is an issue that we believe the municipalities need to prioritize, says Mikael Olausson, secretary general of the Swedish Lifesaving Society.
– Unfortunately, we fear that if we do not take hold of this generation that is coming now and the next, the number of drownings will rise.
Want swimming lessons to start earlier
Today, the recommendation is that swimming lessons in school should start from primary school. Now the Lifesaving Society wants swimming lessons to start earlier, already when the students are in pre-school class.
Education Minister Lotta Edholm (L) thinks the proposal to start swimming already in pre-school class is good, but also believes that children’s swimming skills are not solely the school’s responsibility.
– Basically, it is also a parental responsibility to ensure that children get used to water, and absolutely as early as possible. From the government’s side, we are currently looking at whether clearer requirements and guidelines can be introduced for schools to start teaching swimming already in pre-school class, says Education Minister Lotta Edholm (L).