One of the swimming classes for children in Quảng Ninh Province. — Photo vov.vn

QUẢNG NINH — The northern province of Quảng Ninh has held nearly 200 free-of-charge swimming classes for children from six to 16 years old over the past month.

The classes aimed to teach safe swimming skills and prevent drownings, especially in the current summer days.

The province has about 100,000 children between the ages of six and 16, but only about 50 per cent can swim.

Its goal is that by next year, 60 per cent of children in this age group can swim and 90 per cent of local households have access to information, knowledge and skills on safe swimming and child drowning prevention.

The 200 classes have attracted more than 3,700 youngsters.

Vũ Quang Trực, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that localities actively organising free swimming courses included Uông Bí City, Vân Đồn District, Quảng Yên and ĐôngTriều towns.

"The localities must well manage teaching for the children and also for all the people so that adults can support and help children to swim. We aim to equip every child swimming skills and reach the highest rate of children being able to swim in Quảng Ninh," he said. — VNS