Primary and secondary schools in Shanghai will be holding mandatory classes this summer to help about 100,000 children learn how to swim.

 

While students must attend the courses, they won't be punished if they fail the class -- which shouldn't be a difficult task given the simple requirements. Primary school students only have to prove they can swim 15 meters to pass the course, while middle and high school students must prove they can swim 25 meters.

 

"The training will help them survive in the water," said Li Weiting, a deputy director of the Shanghai Sports Administration, which set up the course along with the Shanghai Education Commission.

 

The city began to promote swimming classes at local schools in 2004.

 

To date, the administration has designated 109 swimming pools across the city with adequate facilities and swimming coaches to take part in the training program.

 

More than 1.1 million city students have taken part in the program over the past three years, of whom about 200,000 have earned a certificate.

 

(Shanghai Daily June 12, 2007)