A majority of the Emmer factions are reluctant to consider introducing school swimming again. At the end of last year, the council had a feasibility study carried out at the request of D66, GroenLinks, SP, PVV and Forum for Democracy. But schools do not have enough time and capacity to tackle this in addition to the existing tasks. Moreover, there was a lack of support, which led the Board to consider the matter settled. But D66 found that argument too simplistic, as it turned out tonight.
The social-liberals were ‘surprised, frustrated and angry’ by the response of the college, which they believe is inadequate. Only school boards and swimming pools were approached for the study and not parents and knowledge groups. And at the ‘neighbors’ in Borger-Odoorn, the municipality has succeeded in setting up a school swimming program with the help of neighborhood sports coaches, among other things. So a collaboration will succeed there, says party chairman Joey Koops.
D66 thinks that fears in schools can be allayed by taking care of the organization, transport and supervision of school swimming. Just like what happens in Borger Odoorn, says Koops. He further pointed out that Klazienaveen and Schoonebeek, both in the municipality of Emmen, already offer a form of school swimming.
D66 could not count on much support during the committee meeting. VVD and PvdA thought that the request was handled well by the Board. Both parties therefore denounced the fact that D66 is putting school swimming on the agenda for a second time. “It comes across as a child who doesn’t get his way and then goes on whining,” said Patrick de Jonge (VVD).
The CDA argued that the responsibility for children’s swimming skills lies mainly with the parents. The Christian Democrats also felt that the motion had been implemented ‘moderately’. “Parents and child centers are not included,” says Johan Nobbe. “As CDA, we wonder whether more research will lead to a different outcome.” Because basically there is a lack of support among the schools themselves, said Nobbe.
Alderman René van der Weide emphasized that the municipality cannot impose anything in education. “The schools have to want it themselves. And the outcome of the research has been clear.” The alderman also points to the capacity. “If, as a school, you have to transport a bus of students to the swimming pool in Emmen, that is quite an operation.”
The same goes for the available space in the swimming pool itself, which other people than just school children also use, says alderman. “The question is whether there is enough water to facilitate it all.”