Issued the first safe swimming teaching program approved by the Ministry of Education and Training

This is the first official program approved and issued by the Ministry to implement Decision No. 1717/QD-TTg dated December 31, 2024, of the Prime Minister on "Strengthening education on knowledge and skills to prevent drowning for students in the period 2025–2035".

Equip students with basic knowledge about preventing and responding to drowning incidents.

Currently, swimming instruction in schools lacks uniformity in curriculum and content. Schools are using programs and materials from various sources to teach swimming to students, primarily focusing on basic swimming techniques; they do not adequately emphasize equipping students with knowledge and skills to prevent drowning, ensure safety in aquatic environments, and perform safe rescue operations.

Issuing a program and guidelines for safe swimming instruction aims to standardize content, help localities and educational institutions organize and implement it synchronously, equip students with sufficient knowledge and skills for safe drowning prevention, and help them proactively protect their own health and lives.

This program and materials set specific goals for students at each educational level. Accordingly, at the primary school level, students are equipped with basic knowledge about preventing and responding to drowning, and indirect rescue; develop basic skills in safe swimming and water safety skills; and are educated to enhance their self-awareness and cultivate qualities and abilities to prevent and respond to drowning.

At the lower secondary level, students are equipped with basic knowledge about preventing and responding to drowning, indirect rescue, basic swimming skills, and improved physical fitness; they are also equipped with self-protection skills and the ability to respond to situations in the water; they know, understand, and can apply safe indirect rescue steps when they see someone drowning; and they develop a sense of responsibility towards the community regarding drowning prevention.

At the high school level, students are equipped with basic knowledge about preventing and responding to drowning incidents, improving their swimming skills and water safety skills; they learn, understand, and apply self-rescue techniques in case of accidents in water. They also practice and apply knowledge and skills in indirect rescue, safe rescue, and how to perform initial first aid procedures for drowning victims; enhancing students' sense of responsibility to the community in preventing and responding to drowning incidents.

Specific regulations regarding lesson duration and necessary conditions.

The curriculum and instructional materials for teaching safe swimming to students consist of 16 lessons; including 15 lessons and 1 test/assessment. Each lesson lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. Based on specific conditions (weather, learning ability, physical condition, and health of students), teachers flexibly apply teaching methods and allocate time appropriately for each student.

The program and guidelines also specify the conditions for implementation regarding facilities, personnel, materials, and funding.

Regarding facilities, a fixed or modular (mobile) swimming pool is required, ensuring hygienic water quality, appropriate water depth, and a flat surface and walls to guarantee the safety of students and teachers during swimming lessons. The area surrounding the pool must be clean, well-ventilated, and have sufficient space for warm-up exercises before entering the water for swimming lessons. There must be minimum required rescue equipment, separate restrooms, showers, and changing rooms for male and female students, and established swimming pool regulations.

In terms of personnel, swimming instructors must be trained and certified in safe swimming instruction and drowning prevention by a competent authority; there must be lifeguards and medical staff on duty as required; and there must be staff to clean the swimming pool area and auxiliary facilities.

Educational institutions are responsible for developing plans and submitting them to the competent authority for approval before implementing safe swimming lessons for students according to the program; and issuing certificates of safe swimming proficiency to students who meet the requirements of the end-of-course assessment.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/ban-hanh-chuong-trinh-day-boi-an-toan-dau-tien-do-bo-gddt-phe-duyet-post754830.html