Teacher training for swim solution

Physical education teachers working in Queensland’s most rural state schools will be trained to provide life-saving swimming instruction, the state government will announce today.

The Department of Education has released the findings of an audit which found that 98 per cent of schools offered a water safety and swimming education program, however it did not offer any participation figures.

The audit also identified 14 schools which were not providing a swimming program.

PE teachers in those schools will be the first to undergo the new training to help save the lives of children following News Corp’s Save Our Schoolkids 2.0 campaign.

Experts, including Olympic swimming coaches and the Royal Life Saving Australia had spoken out about shortfalls in school programs, saying it was “unclear” whether students were learning in pools or in the classroom.

The audit failed to address participation rates, however it did identify key areas for improvement which the state government says it will act on.

Some of the schools failing to provide swimming programs including schools in areas like Aurukun, Bwgcolman, Coen, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw which are three hours away from the nearest pool.

On the back of the audit, the state government will also quadruple the available funds to its Water Safety and Swimming Education grant pot from $150,000 to $650,000.

The grant is available to schools facing barriers to offering swimming education, and those unable to cover costs from their existing budgets.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the state government was committed to ensuring all students would have access to swimming lessons, regardless of their circumstances.