The House of Representatives wants to reintroduce school swimming, because the number of children without a swimming diploma is increasing. Primary schools and educational foundations in North Holland are not happy with this. “The government transfers problems that arise in the living room to the classroom.”
General director of Tabijn education foundation, Marjan Plazier, believes it is not feasible for schools to realize the government’s plans. “School swimming is different from a project that has to be given. It requires transport and time for traveling and changing. It certainly takes a whole afternoon. This causes an infringement of the regular education program. The time investment is really the biggest problem.”
“In addition, schools are faced with a staff shortage. Sufficient teachers are a prerequisite for accompanying a group of children to the swimming pool. We cannot guarantee that in this labor market either,” says Plazier.
The education foundation is happy that attention is being paid to swimming, but does not believe that schools should offer this. “There are many children at schools who cannot swim because their parents cannot afford it. A subsidy would be a good idea for this. This does not apply to all students. For many parents it will be nice if schools arrange swimming lessons, so that it doesn’t cost them any more time.”
Pressure on education
According to Director Maaike Kerssens, of De Watermolen Public Primary School in Zaandam, too much is asked of primary schools. “We must ensure that children learn to read, write and calculate. The government wants to see more improvement in this. We as a school want to do our best and work hard on this. But you need time and manpower for this. If we hours a week on swimming lessons, we lack the hours and staff for the basic subjects.”
“In addition, it becomes a danger if we continuously increase pressure on education. The government transfers problems that arise in the living room to the classroom. This places everything on the school. In addition to teaching compulsory subjects, we now also teach, for example, breakfast at school and we work on subjects such as sex education. With swimming lessons, the pressure becomes even greater.”
Maaike understands where the government’s idea comes from. “We live in a water country, so there is a need for certainty that children will learn to swim. But I do not yet think that this certainty should lie with the schools, this is something for after-school care, for example. Another idea is to offer free swimming lessons, for example. that it is not too expensive for parents.”
Maaike doesn’t accept it. “My first instinct was: I’m going to quit. I’m going to throw my diploma in the pool. I’m being asked to do things that I can’t fulfill. I have two choices: I give up my place or we’re going to compete with all the schools. We In any case, we will certainly not accept it.”