KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dozens of students from four Jamaican schools are benefiting from a swimming development programme designed not only to teach them how to stay safe in the water, but also to open opportunities for them in the future.

The Progress Learn to Swim Classes (PLSC) hosted a swim meet last Thursday geared towards showcasing the competence and development of its cohort of students from New Hope Preparatory, St Jude’s Primary, Panton’s Home School and Bethel Basic School.

It marked the fourth staging of the event, which was held at the University of the West Indies Mona Swimming Pool.

Throughout the day, the students splashed around in the pool and ran around cheerfully, adding a vibrant splash of colour to the occasion as parents, teachers and supporters looked on from the sidelines.

According to PLSC Programmes Coordinator Ainsworth Reid, its mission is to help students develop the competence of becoming good swimmers, while also equipping them with skills to teach swimming and eventually gain employment opportunities as lifeguards.

“The intention is simply to have the child at the basic school level matriculate to the high school then to be completely self-employed. The intention is really to create life skill from early,” Reid said.

“The sport of swimming carries within itself the opportunity for jobs so we want to kind of bring it from the basic school level all the way through to the high school and beyond,” he said, adding that it is his intention to expand the programme to five high schools.

Reid shared that the fourth staging of the event represented continued progression for the programme. While noting that turnout was not at full capacity due to competing priorities, he maintained that the participation levels still reflected growth.

The students took to the pool in high spirits, participating in events including object find, paddle boat races and freestyle competitions. They were loudly cheered on by teachers and parents standing at the poolside.

One parent, Laytoya Rowe beamed with pride as she watched her child, Amia Bell of New Hope Prep, compete.

Class Teacher at New Hope Prepatory School Christiana Rickettes-Graham (top left), Latoya (second left) Rowe, Teacher at New Hope Prepatory School Justina Woodstock (third left) and student at New Hope Prepatory School Amia Bell (bottom left) (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“Today is one of my biggest day to see my child here swimming. It brings so much joy and it’s a fun event for the children to come and enjoy themselves,” she shared

Rowe said that while she is not a swimmer herself, she still makes every effort to ensure her child learns the skill.

Meanwhile, Justina Woodstock, a teacher at New Hope, shared her excitement at seeing her students participate.

From left: Teacher from St Jude’s Primary School Tishana Downer, students Brianna Collins, Kimecia Dormer and Jessica Grandison, teacher of St Jude’s Primary School. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“They have worked hard. Every Friday they are at the National Stadium practicing and to see them now in action is just a joy,” Woodstock said.

Teacher at St Jude’s Primary, Tishana Downer said she was very confident in her students’ abilities and proudly noted that the school had a strong turnout of 25 students and six parents.

Also observing the meet with interest was Acting Vice Principal of Edith Dalton High School, Rohan Gray, who spoke about the possibility of introducing similar opportunities at the high school level.

“I am here at this development meet to just observe what is happening. What I have seen so far is very encouraging and I see where at my school this could actually help our boys to be disciplined and rounded,” Gray said.

Highlighting that many of his students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, Gray noted that the discipline gained through swimming could play an important role in shaping them as individuals while also creating pathways to career opportunities.

The swim meet ended with St Jude’s Primary emerging champions with 245 points, followed by Panton’s Home School with 180 points and New Hope Preparatory in third with 160 points.

All participants lined up to receive certificates of participation, while each school collected trophies for their respective placements.

Among those recognised were students from Bethel Basic School, who participated unofficially in the meet.