Germany is facing a rise in fatal drowning incidents, prompting a call for mandatory swimming lessons in primary schools. A newly proposed action plan, spearheaded by the Left party and reported by “Stern” magazine, aims to address the escalating crisis.
The plan highlights a concerning trend: a steady increase in drownings across the country. Figures released by the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) indicate 411 fatalities for 2024 alone, a rise of 31 compared to the previous year. The majority of these tragic events occur in unsupervised natural bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers.
The Left party’s action plan explicitly advocates for “swimming lessons – mandatory in every primary school”. This necessitates adequate pool time, qualified instructors and, critically, functional swimming facilities within reasonable proximity to residential areas.
Beyond mandatory lessons, the plan proposes a significant investment program, allocating at least one billion euros annually for the next several years towards revitalizing and maintaining swimming pools. To ensure accessibility, the proposal includes the introduction of a “swimming euro” aimed at making public pool entry affordable for all children and teenagers, regardless of their parents’ financial situation. The suggested price point of one euro reflects a commitment to equitable access.
The DLRG emphasizes that the closure of numerous swimming pools – an estimated 70 to 80 per year – exacerbates the risk. These closures frequently stem from municipalities struggling to secure funding, alongside a growing shortage of qualified personnel.
“When children can no longer learn to swim because the nearest pool has closed, something is fundamentally wrong in this country” stated Left party leader Jan van Aken in an interview with “Stern”. He underscored that swimming is not a recreational activity but a life skill, asserting its status as a fundamental right. The provision and upkeep of swimming facilities, he argued, should be a mandatory responsibility of the state, not a discretionary choice.