Effectiveness of SwimSafer Programme in Developing Essential Swimming and Water Survival Skills for All Students

21 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the target percentage of students expected to achieve SwimSafer Stage 1, 2 and 3 proficiency levels respectively by the end of Primary 3; (b) whether the Ministry tracks the proficiency levels of students beyond the compulsory Primary 3 programme; and (c) how does the Ministry ensure that students who remain non-swimmers after Primary 3 attain basic water survival skills.

Mr Desmond Lee: The SwimSafer 2.0 programme is the national water safety programme offered to students as part of the Physical Education (PE) curriculum. Primary schools typically offer it at the Primary 3 level.

Most students take up Stage 1 lessons as part of the school PE programme, while those who have already attained basic proficiency take up lessons at a higher level. Beyond the school programme, students may also choose to continue their learning through SwimSafer 2.0 or other aquatic programmes under the broader SwimSingapore framework.

The Ministry does not set a target percentage of students achieving the different stages of proficiency or track the proficiency levels of students beyond the school programme. Students who do not meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education SwimSafer 2.0 Stage 1 programme in schools may attend a fully funded remediation programme with Sport Singapore.