Life saving swimming skills for all children

I raised a question in Parliament regarding the effectiveness of the SwimSafer programme because every child deserves to feel safe in the water. I wanted to know the specific proficiency targets for our Primary 3 students and whether we track their progress as they grow older. My main concern is ensuring that no student is left behind without essential survival skills. It is vital that we identify those who cannot yet swim so they receive the support they need before leaving primary school.

The Minister for Education explained that schools typically offer these lessons at the Primary 3 level and students can pursue higher stages through the broader SwimSingapore framework. He noted that there are no fixed target percentages for proficiency, and students who do not pass Stage 1 can attend a fully funded remediation programme.

I believe we should establish clearer benchmarks and long term tracking to ensure every child eventually reaches a competent level of water safety. More consistent tracking would help schools identify those who slip through the cracks. Knowing how to swim is a life skill that provides peace of mind for every parent and child.

How can we better support children who need more time to build confidence in the water?

This is the full question and answer from 7 Apr 2026:

Effectiveness Of SwimSafer Programme In Developing Essential Swimming And Water Survival Skills For All Students

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 SportSG.

Source: Singapore Parliament Reports (Hansard)