Taitung Councilor Calls for More Pools as 350 Students in South Link Area Share Just One

(CNA, by reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 21st) Taitung County Councilor Tsai Yu-ling pointed out today that in the South Link region of Taitung, 10 schools with over 350 students have only one swimming pool, located at Dawu Elementary School, and expressed hope for new ones to be built. The Taitung County Government responded that it is considering introducing smaller, safer inflatable pools. A tragic drowning of a student occurred in the Jinlun River along Taitung's South Link railway line in April. As summer begins, attracting people to streams for cooling off and barbecues, students' water survival skills have become a focus of concern. KMT County Councilor Tsai Yu-ling today questioned Tsai Mei-yao, Director of the Taitung County Government's Education Department, at the Taitung County Council's regular session about the lack of swimming education resources in the South Link area. Tsai Yu-ling stated that along the South Link line from Daxi to Anshuo Elementary School, there are 10 schools with a total student population exceeding 350. However, the entire South Link region has only one swimming pool at Dawu Elementary School, forcing 350 students to crowd into one pool, with resources failing to meet demand. Tsai Yu-ling pointed out that if schools like Anshuo cannot fit into Dawu Elementary's schedule, they are forced to travel to the more distant Jinlun hot spring area, or even all the way to Taitung City for classes, creating significant transportation difficulties and burdens for both schools and students. Tsai Yu-ling expressed her sorrow over the accidental drowning of a child in the Jinlun River in April. Therefore, she stated, ensuring children can safely receive survival training during the summer holidays or at any time must not be overlooked, and asked if the Education Department could study the possibility of building a new swimming pool in a suitable location. Tsai Mei-yao responded that water survival courses are indeed very important for students, with the core teaching focus being on water survival and acclimatization. She noted that currently, there have been no scheduling conflicts among schools in their coordination of time and space. As for building a new swimming pool, Tsai Mei-yao said that considering the younger age of elementary school children, introducing smaller, safer inflatable pools is also a viable alternative for helping children get used to the water and learn survival skills. Regarding the hardware condition of the existing pool at Dawu Elementary School, she mentioned that the Education Department conducted a county-wide inspection last year. All old facilities and equipment related to safety need to be replaced, and the Education Department will fully assist with funding and improvements to ensure students' learning safety. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150521