School swimming programs shortened due to lack of teachers
A lack of swimming instructors has caused swimming programs at a number of Perth schools to be shortened.
As revealed on the Rumour File on Monday, at least one primary school in the northern suburbs had their planned two-week block reduced to one week due to a lack of instructors.
Department of Education Deputy Director Jim Bell said despite actually increasing the amount of qualified swimming instructors, it is true that some schools have had to shorten their program.
“We have actually increased the number of qualified instructors over the last 12 months for our in-term swimming program,” he said on 6PR Breakfast.
“We have 180,000 students that are involved in this from pre-primary to year seven.
“But look it is true that unfortunately in recent times we’ve had staff either choose to be no longer available for the program, or to pursue other employment opportunities.
“What that’s meant, is that we’ve needed to change the way we do things.”
However, Mr Bell ensured that no student would completely miss out on swimming lessons.
“That option of offering the five day program is correct,” he said.
“We do that in our vacation program as well … it’s not the full ten days that we’d like, but we are making sure that students don’t miss out on lessons.”
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