Are school swimming pools a death trap for children?
Sep 15, 2012
Last week the parents’ fraternity woke up to a chilling story of a pupil who died in a swimming pool. Sunshine Baraza died after drowning in a swimming pool at Acorns Pre and Primary International School in Bukoto. It was her first day in school.
By StellaA Naigino
Last week the parents’ fraternity woke up to a chilling story of a pupil who died in a swimming pool. Sunshine Baraza died after drowning in a swimming pool at Acorns Pre and Primary International School in Bukoto. It was her first day in school.
A cloud of darkness covered the school premises as parents pondered on the safety of their children in schools. Sunshine was the only child of Andrew and Doreen Baraza.
The body of Sunshine was discovered by one of the employees while cleaning the compound. Circumstances under which Sunshine died have raised several questions over the capacity of schools to manage swimming pools.
Parents are worried that schools with swimming pools do not take enough precautionary measures to avoid such incidents.
Like the Baraza family, any parent is bound to face a similar problem unless schools with swimming pools take extra measures to protect children.
What are the safety measures?
Lucy Nanyanzi the head teacher of Kampala Kindergarten says precautions are always there but once not taken seriously, accidents are bound to occur.
She adds that children love water and once not supervised, incidents of drowning are likely. Experts say swimming pools should be fenced off for safety reasons.
“I remember when pupils of Nakasero Primary School came to visit our school they were excited about the swimming pool and started climbing the wall to get in. Since the swimming pool attendants were watching, we were able to take precaution,” Nanyanzi says.
Peter Obbo, the swimming coach of Kampala Kindergarten says a swimming pool entrance should be closed so that the children do not access it when there is no supervisor.
He explains that it should be situated in an area with a clear view such that even someone who is 100 kilometres away can see what is taking place around the pool.
Nanyanzi notes that kindergarten children should only be allowed around the swimming pool when it is time to take swimming lessons under close supervision of life savers.
Daniel Nkaada the commissioner in charge of pre-primary and primary at the ministry of education says any school can have a swimming pool as long as they follow safety measures.
However, Martin Isagala the head teacher of City Parents Kampala disagrees. He says swimming pools should only be accepted in secondary schools because at this level students know how to control themselves.
“Primary or kindergarten calls for a lot of attention which sometimes is not possible. That is why accidents of children drowning happen,” Isagala argues.