Free swimming classes in Đồng Tháp help save students’ lives

May 01, 2016 - 17:42

Alarmed at the increasing number of drowning incidents in the Mekong Delta, primary teachers in Đồng Tháp Province’s Tháp Mười District have been teaching hundreds of students how to swim.

Teachers teach students to swim in the Mekong Delta's Đồng Tháp Province. --Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI-- Alarmed at the increasing number of drowning incidents in the Mekong Delta, primary teachers in Đồng Tháp Province’s Tháp Mười District began teaching hundreds of students how to swim in 2008.

The teachers at Hưng Thạnh 2 Primary School built a bamboo and netting enclosure to make a temporary “pool” in a local river after receiving approval from Hưng Thạnh Commune’s People’s Committee.

The swimming classes are free for students and local children.

Nguyễn Thành Tâm, principal of the school, said the number of drowning cases usually increases during the flood season when most students row boats to school.

The swimming enclosure is 4m in width and 10m in length. Each class has about 50 students, most of whom are first graders.

Since the classes began, there have been no drowning incidents.        

Dương Văn Hậu, a fourth grader, said before attending the swimming course, he was afraid of getting in the river. Now, he feels confident when he rides on a boat or ferry. -- VNS

E-paper