Media Release from Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro MLA and Shadow Minister for Education Jo Hersey MLA:
As thousands of students prepare to head back to school tomorrow, the CLP has announced further cost of living relief for Territory families with free swimming lessons for all Primary school aged children.
For the first time in 25 years, swimming and water safety education will be embedded in the NT curriculum to be a compulsory part of Health and Physical Education.
The CLP’s Swimming in Schools program will provide $3 million a year to enable Territory schools to deliver swimming and water safety lessons for all children in Years 1 to 6.
Transports and pool entry will be covered by the funding, with no costs passed onto parents.
“This is part of the CLP’s plan to help Territory families with the cost of living,” said Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro.
“Currently, less than half of NT Primary Schools provide swimming lessons[1], which means parents are left to pick up the bill with private swim lessons.
“With household bills on the rise, more and more families just can’t afford it.
“No child should miss out on learning these lifesaving skills.
“The CLP introduced the $200 Learn to Swim Voucher scheme in 2014 to prevent drownings in children under 5. Now we will ensure every Territory child under 12 learns how to swim.”
Shadow Education Minister, Jo Hersey, said it was alarming only 5% NT Year 6 students meet the National Benchmark for Swimming and Water Safety[2].
“Water is a huge part of lifestyle with our amazing weather, waterfalls, boating and fishing yet we are the only jurisdiction in Australia where swimming lessons are not compulsory.
“Under the CLP, your child will learn how to swim just like they learn how to read and write,” said Mrs Hersey.
The Presidents of Royal Lifesaving NT, Surf Life Saving NT, Swimming NT, AFANT, Triathlon NT, the Y Northern Territory and Kidsafe NT, who called for compulsory and fully funded swimming and water safety education in schools, said the program would save lives.
“Embedding swimming and water safety lessons into the curriculum will reduce the incidence of drowning and related injuries among NT children,” said Royal Life Saving NT's President Randall Cook.
“The Northern Territory has the highest per capita drowning rate in Australia, a statistic that highlights the urgent need for comprehensive water safety education.”
Mr Cook said the risk factors for drowning in children are predominantly poor swimming ability and a lack of water safety knowledge.
“This funding will ensure our children are equipped with the necessary skills to stay safe in and around water. It will ensure we have a generation of water-safe children in the Territory.”
The Swimming in Schools program will be rolled out in both urban and remote schools from Term 1 2025.
“Schools will have access to flexible options and a range of different providers to help them develop the best program that fits their needs,” said Ms Hersey.
“The CLP will ensure schools have the funding, resources and administrative support to deliver swimming and water safety education programs at no cost to parents.”
Remote schools who currently have to use their Remote Sports Voucher funding on swimming lessons, will now be able to use that funding on another sport or recreation initiative with swimming lessons to be fully funded each year.
[1] Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2021
[2] Royal Life Saving Society Australia, 2021
