Recreational accidents involving drowning are on the rise with every passing year. Something quick has to be done! There is no way we can actively reduce that drowning toll if children are not taught water confidence. Learning to swim should be made compulsory in schools.
Many public pools today are struggling to keep their pools open because of rising costs. A large number of swimming professionals are worried as to how bad it is going to get.
The education system is the best means for children to learn how to swim and survive, so water safety skills are grown at that age. Ideally a school pool in close proximity will complement this intention. However it is easier said than done, due to the high capital cost, space constraint and recurring maintenance cost.
By just learning a few strokes will not sufficiently get them out of danger should they fall into the swift rapids of a flood or a swollen river. The kampong boy will most probably survive due to his ‘water confidence’. 
Having all these concerns weighed and thought of in detail, the R.E.A.L Education Group has put pools in each of their three private schools, Sekolah Seri Suria in Cheras, Sekolah Seri Cahaya in Shah Alam and Sekolah Sri Andalas in Johor and two international schools, R.E.A.L International School in Shah Alam and R.E.A.L International School in Cheras for the purpose of producing confident swimmers who are able to get out of danger should they be faced with danger.
The pools are of half an Olympic size and come with an impressive deck, which gives swimmers the ‘resort living’ ambience. Showers and changing room facilities are airy, clean and practical.
Young talents have been neglected by the education industry with each passing year. If only talents are captured early then they can be developed to full capacity. The sky is the limit in the dynamics of developing a young talent.
In this aspect, the R.E.A.L Education Group has a distinct advantage as they start children as young as 4 years old in water confidence. When these talents enter the REAL schools, they will have uninterrupted training to push them towards excellence. Given this vantage point, state and national swimmers will bloom. Swimming is part of the Extra Curriculum Activities programme offered by the schools. Whilst the basic swimming programme offers children water confidence and survival skills, competitive training modules are introduced to those aspiring to scale state and national heights.
In the first year, competent local coaches will bring out the fire in our young swimmers. The Directors would like to take one step further through engaging foreign coaches to augment and focus on competitive swimming.
The REAL Education Group believes that every child has the right to acquire water survival skills. Fatal accidents involving water can be avoided if children (adults inclusive) learn water confidence at a young age. The Group would like to encourage other schools to follow in the same step forward.
Written by:
Karen Johnson
Marketing & Training Manager of R.E.A.L Education Group
karen@real.edu.my
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