The Prime Minister has issued a directive calling for the urgent implementation of swimming lessons in public schools. This requirement, outlined in a dispatch dated 19/5, emphasizes strengthening drowning prevention and control for children.

The directive follows recent tragedies, including the drowning deaths of 9 students aged 9-14 in the past three days. These incidents occurred while the children were swimming in the Lo River in Phu Tho and the Banh Lai River in Dak Lak. With the upcoming summer vacation and the rainy season, the risk of accidents, injuries, and child drownings is expected to increase.

Drowning remains a critical issue in Vietnam, with statistics revealing that nearly 2,000 children die each year from drowning. This places the country among those with the highest rates in the Western Pacific region.

To address this, the Ministry of Education and Training is tasked with promptly completing a comprehensive curriculum and organizing swimming lessons for students across public schools. The ministry is also required to disseminate crucial knowledge and skills for drowning prevention and control to students, and to enhance coordination between schools and families in supervising children, particularly during summer holidays.

Furthermore, provincial and city authorities must issue timely warnings about high-risk drowning locations. They are also directed to invest in facilities for swimming instruction and water safety skills for children, and to conduct inspections of drowning prevention measures in schools.

Le Nguyen