Increasing Number of Children Struggle with Swimming - Solinger FDP Chooses to Install Innovative Learning Pool

In Solingen, a city in Germany, the issue of swimming education has been a pressing concern for many years. A significant number of children from low-income families are particularly affected, with many leaving primary school unable to swim. This situation is becoming increasingly dire, with waiting lists for swimming courses stretching over a year.

The FDP faction in Solingen's city council has proposed a solution to this challenging situation. They plan to link the urgently needed renovation of the Klingenhalle with a new construction of an additional teaching swimming pool. This new pool, if constructed, will be a 12.5 by 25-meter pool with a movable floor, available year-round for schools and clubs.

The proposed pool is not just a construction project. It is considered a crucial step to secure swimming education in Solingen long-term. FDP faction leader Nina Brattig emphasizes that every child in Solingen should have the opportunity to learn to swim safely.

The high number of fatal drowning incidents in the city, which has remained consistent for years, underscores the need for improved swimming education. The creation of a new teaching pool could help address the lack of swimming facilities in Solingen, providing much-needed breathing room for schools and clubs to improve their swimming education programmes.

Parents in Solingen have reported failed attempts to enroll their children in swimming courses. The proportion of primary school children nationwide who cannot swim has increased significantly in recent years, and the risk of an entire generation growing up unable to swim is real, particularly in Solingen.

Only around half of all fourth-graders achieve the secure swimming level, at least bronze, by the end of primary school. Schools in Solingen struggle to reliably cover the mandatory swimming lessons. The new teaching pool, if constructed, could provide a long-term solution to these issues.

The new teaching pool is planned to be constructed in close proximity to the Klingenhalle. The Klingenhalle is a key project in Solingen aimed at addressing the lack of swimming facilities and lessons. The new pool, combined with the renovation of Klingenhalle, could serve as an important contribution to the safety, educational opportunities, and quality of life of children in Solingen.

In conclusion, the proposed new teaching pool in Solingen could potentially contribute to improving the quality of life for children in the city by providing them with swimming education opportunities. The FDP faction in the city council is hopeful that this project will help ensure that every child in Solingen has the chance to learn to swim safely.