Debate over time needed to sort out swim program
CHANGES could be made to improve swimming programs in Queensland schools before next summer after a meeting between the State Government and water safety experts.
However, Education Minister Grace Grace said the Government wanted to hold several more meetings before making a decision, prompting criticism from Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington who said Labor was “dragging its feet” and putting lives at risk.
“This is a life and death matter for Queensland kids and the Palaszczuk Government can’t afford to wait for another summer to get these swimming lessons going,’’ she said.
Ms Grace, who chaired the meeting attended by schools, P& Cs and members of surf lifesaving, said the Government would conduct an audit of schools and consider changes after that.
“Different organisations will be putting forward some evidence- based solutions on how they believe we can further improve the school swimming program,” Ms Grace said.
“We want the best solution. Everything is on the table.”
But Ms Grace said parents should also ensure their children were taught how to swim at the earliest opportunity.
Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO John Brennan attended yesterday’s meeting and said he believed changes could be made before next summer.
“We’ve started looking at a lot of the data ... and it’s evident that we’ve all got homework to do,” he said. “But this is the first time everyone has come together at the one table so that in itself is significant.
“We heard from schools that are four hours from a pool and we now need to come up with solutions for them.
“We’re a very unique state and the one model is not going to fit the whole state – it’s going to have to be a myriad of physical and classroom- based activities.”