
The federal government, DSV and DLRG are investing 20 million euros over four years to increase swimming skills among primary school children.
AI-generated summary
According to the Federal Ministry, currently only 40 percent of primary school students can swim safely, while 20 percent cannot swim at all.
A new funding program is intended to ensure that more children in Germany learn to swim. The program presented by the Federal Chancellery, the German Swimming Association (DSV) and the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) includes funding of 20 million euros - spread over four years.
Bus rides to the swimming pool or more courses
The funding program aims to make access to swimming pools easier - for example, to finance the bus trip for a class if the nearest swimming pool is further away. Clubs should also be able to use the money to offer more swimming courses or hire full-time swimming pilots. In this way, volunteer swimming teachers can be relieved, says the DSV. However, there is no provision for funding for the construction and maintenance of swimming pools, as associations have called for.
Learning to swim is “important for survival”
Safe swimming is not only important for survival, said State Minister for Sport and Volunteering and Olympic canoe champion Ronald Rauhe. "Being able to swim safely also creates self-confidence, enables participation in school trips and holiday activities and opens up access to healthy exercise."
According to the Federal Ministry, only 40 percent of all students can currently swim safely at the end of their primary school years. 40 percent are currently considered unsafe swimmers - 20 percent cannot swim at all.
According to DLRG President Ute Vogt, a child can swim safely if he or she can not only stay afloat, but also swim independently over deep water for 15 minutes.
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