By Dayo Adesulu

St. Saviour’s Schools Ebute-Metta has announced the inclusion of swimming into its curriculum as a core subject that every child will take during school hours. Its Chairman, Board of Management, Mr Tom Ogboi while commissioning the Administration Block and Swimming Pool said: “From this term, swimming will be incorporated into the curriculum of the school as a core subject such that every child will have swimming lesson during school hour.”

He noted that with the donation of the world class swimming pool, St Saviour can now add to the portfolio of life skills which the school teaches its students. According to Ogboi, just as the children come to school with their pens, they are also require to come to school with their swimming accoutrements when they have swimming on their time table. He explained that the importance of the swimming exercise is to help students be proficient in swimming before a child leaves St. Saviour’s school.

The chairman who boasted of the school’s positive impact on education in the past 64 years, noted that the school was the first to be internet compliant, first to have a computer laboratory and first to have a science laboratory. “We were the first to teach ICT as a core subject in Nigeria, we were the first to teach moral instruction as a core subject and teach music as a core subject,’’ he added.

Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Abimbola Fashola who was delighted with the educational development of the school urged its management to allow other schools children in the community to have access to the swimming pool. According to her, the gesture will foster brotherhood and healthy development among students. ‘’Given access to other school users in the community will allow St. Saviour’s Schools children to interact with other students in the community,’’ she said.

On his part, one of the key sponsors of the swimming pool, Sir. Kesington Adebutu said that incorporation of physical activities in the school’s daily programme cannot be over emphasized. He noted that swimming is a healthy, recreational activity for people of all ages, adding that pupils will derive their own dosage in good time. Adebutu explained that swimming is a low-body impact activity with many physical and mental health benefits as it keeps the heart rate up but takes some of the impact of stress off your body. ‘’It builds endurance and supports muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness,’’ he added.

Adebutu who disclosed that 90 per cent of his children pass through the school lauded the Chairman, Board of Management , Head-teacher and teachers of the school for bringing to fore this achievement.