MOE SwimSafer Programme
The SwimSafer Programme, introduced in July 2010 by the National Water Safety Council (NWSC), was initiated by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS) in Singapore. This programme aims to improve water safety and swimming skills among participants.
Enhancements in 2018: SwimSafer 2.0
In 2018, the SwimSafer Programme was enhanced to SwimSafer 2.0 to provide participants with more rigorous water survival and swimming competency skills. This updated version includes:
- Revised Learning Syllabus: A comprehensive curriculum designed to better equip participants with essential water skills.
- Updated Assessment Criteria: Stricter assessment standards to ensure proficiency.
- Enhanced Instructor Training: Instructors underwent additional training and re-certification to maintain high teaching standards.
Objectives of SwimSafer 2.0
SwimSafer 2.0 is Singapore’s National Water Safety Programme, emphasizing the importance of safety in aquatic environments. The key objectives are:
- Swimming Proficiency: Teaching effective swimming techniques.
- Water Survival Skills: Equipping participants with the skills to survive in various water conditions.
- Fun Learning: Ensuring the learning process is enjoyable and engaging.
Structure of the 6 Stages of SwimSafer 2.0 Programme
The programme is divided into six progressive levels, each building on the previous one to develop comprehensive swimming and survival skills:
- SwimSafer Stage 1: Introduction to basic water safety and confidence-building.
- SwimSafer Stage 2: Development of fundamental swimming skills.
- SwimSafer Stage 3: Enhanced swimming techniques and survival skills.
- SwimSafer Stage 4 Bronze: Advanced swimming strokes, the 3 basic survival strokes and basic throw rescue techniques.
- SwimSafer Stage 5 Silver: Mastery of swimming strokes, survival strokes and endurance training.
- SwimSafer Stage 6 Gold: Expert with good swimming technique, swim stamina, survival strokes, advanced self rescue technique and comprehensive water safety knowledge.
My child failed his MOE Swimsafer Test. What should I do?
Engage a Swimsafer Certified Coach to fine tune his stroke and send for test again.. Read other FAQ here.
Alternatively you can join our weekly swimsafer program or join our holiday swimsafer program. Sign up here for Weekly Class
Ministry of Education (MOE) Swimsafer Programme Schedule
In a year there are 4 terms of MOE Swimsafer Programme. Some school opt for 1 hour session while most school would opt for 1.5 hours session. If it is a 1 hour training session, there would be 12 sessions altogether. If it is a 1.5 hour training session, then it would be 8 sessions altogether. The first session is the swim asessement while the last session is swimsafer test and certification. Only student that pass BOTH the practical and theory will then be entittled swimsafer certificate.
MOE Swimsafer Programme for year 2024
Term 1 (One) of MOE Swimsafer programme will run between 2nd week of January 2024 until Mid of March 2024
Term 2 (Two) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run mid of March 2024 till Mid of May 2024 or before the june holiday start whichever end first.
Term 3 (Three) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run after the June Holiday Programme, eg Beginning of July 2024 until 3rd week of Aug 2024.
Term 4 (Four) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run from September 2024 to November 2024 before the year end holiday start.
MOE Swimsafer Programme Schedule for year 2025
There are altogether 4 terms of MOE Swimsafer Program starting from January and ending mid Nov of every year. Below find more details.
MOE Swimsafer Programme -TERM 1 (One)
Term 1 (One) of MOE Swimsafer programme will run between 2nd week of January 2025 until Mid of March 2025 (if it is a 1.5 hour sessions) or eat into the month of April (if each training session is 1 hour each). Those who are in primary 2 in 2024, and have not yet obtain the swimsafer certificate, you may sign up our popular AQZOG 6 Days Swimsafer Program here. Such holiday program usually occur in May/June or Nov/Dec every year. The training is held at Clementi and Delta and the training duration is 1 hour 15mins.
MOE Swimsafer Programme -TERM 2 (TWO)
Term 2 (Two) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run mid of March 2025 till Mid of May 2025 or before the june holiday start whichever end first.Those who are in primary 2 or primary 1 in 2024, and have not yet obtain the swimsafer certificate, you may sign up our popular 6 Days Holiday Swimsafer Program. Such holiday program usually occur in May/June or Nov/Dec every year. The training is held at Clementi and Delta and the training duration is 1 hour 15mins. Click to Sign Up. or you would prefer to join weekly Swimsafer Program, then sign up here.
MOE Swimsafer Programme -TERM 3 (THREE)
Term 3 (Three) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run after the June Holiday Programme, eg Beginning of July 2025 until 3rd week of Aug 2025.Those who are in primary 2 or primary 1 in 2024, and have not yet obtain the swimsafer certificate, you may sign up our popular 6 Days Holiday Swimsafer Program.
Such holiday program usually occur in May/June or Nov/Dec every year. The training is held at Clementi and Delta and the training duration is 1 hour 15mins.
MOE Swimsafer Programme -TERM 4 (FOUR)
Term 4 (Four) of MOE Swimsafer Programme will run from September 2025 to November 2025 before the year end holiday start. Sign up here for 6 days holiday Swimsafer Pogram.
Things to bring for MOE Swimsafer Programme
- Slipper
- Goggle
- Swim Cap (Vendor will usually provide swim cap, so make sure you write your name and group number on the cap. Bring for all lessons)
- Swimming attire
- T shirt and Short (For those doing stage 1,2,3 and 4), T shirt and Long Pant (For those doing stage 5 (Silver) and stage 6 (Gold)
- Towel
- Snack
- Water Bottle
- Bag to keep the above.
Please note that after finishing your swimming class, you are to proeed to the toilet to just rinse, dry and change. There is limited time to change so you cannot take shower in the toilet due to the limited space.
First Day of MOE Swimsafer Programme
You will assemble at the area where the coaches will identify those who got swimsafer cert or those who do not have swimsafer cert and group them accordingly. Eg those who has swimsafer stage 1,2,3,4,5,6 will be grouped accordingly to their level. Those who do not have swimsafer certificate will be in another group classified under ” No Swimsafer Cert”.
Student with Swimsafer Certificate
The coaches will assess their swimming ability and skills base upon the certificate that they have. And they will then be group to train for the next level. Eg if your child has swimsafer stage 2, he will be trained for swimsafer stage 3 and so on.
Student without Swimsafer Certificate but can swim
Students without swimsafer certificate will be recommended to do swimsafer stage 1. Usually these group of student without swimsafer certificate but can swim will be classified under Group A. Under the discrection of the training coach, some students may upgrade to higher level if they are proven to be able to do the required task. However, this type of arrangement is subjected to who is the vendor that the MOE has engaged. All vendors has different policy.
Student without Swimsafer Certificate and cannot Swim
This group of students will be classified under Group B, Group C or Group D.. Group B are those who can submerge, and swim 2 strokes. Group C are those who can submerge, can float but cannot swim. Group D are those who cannot submerge their head in the water or has water phobia..
Students fall under category B, C and D will likely obtain Swimsafer Stage 1 if they passed at the end of the course. To be able to pass Swimsafer Stage one, check out the assessment list for swimsafer stage 1 here.
What are the percentage of A, B, C and D grouping?
Base on 100 pax, On average Group A has about 9 to 15 pax per 100 students, and On average, Group B has about 16 to 20 pax, and on Average, Group C has about 20 to 30 pax. The remaining are Group D. From the findings in most cases, Group C and Group D has the most number. The above number are just an average estimated value. Some schools that has their own pool facilities can expect higher number of students that can swim.
Last Session of MOE Swimsafer Programme
After all the training, is time of the year to do your final swimsafer test. Students who clear their practical test will likely obtain their swimsafer certificate after they completed their online theory. Student who did not clear their practical test but clear their online theory will not be able to obtain their swimsafer certificate.
Group A, and B will see higher percentage of passing than students in Group C & D.
What are the criteria to pass swimsafer test?
They must be able to perform all the task that they trained, base on the checklist of each given stage. One item cannot perform after some repeated attempts, may deem unable to perform. So the participant will fail the test.
Student who passed their practical test
Congratulation and you may proceed to the next swimsafer training stage with your coach if you are currently having swimming lessons with your coach, Inform your coach that you have cleared your test and train for the next level. You can find out more about the swimsafer stages here.
Student who failed their practical test- What next?
Do not be dishearten if you have failed the practical test. Is not the end of the world, You can engage a coach or enrol with aqzog for more swimming lessons to improve your stroke. If you are a busy kid that you do not have time for your weekly class, you can consider joining our 6 days holidays swimsafer programme where we will train you and get you certificate like what you did with the MOE school.
Second time MOE Swimsafer Programme?
No. There is only one run for your child to attend the MOE swimsafer programme. Usually in primary 3 they will have their MOE swimsafer Programme.
6 Stages of Swimsafer Explained.
Building a Strong Foundation: SwimSafer Stage 1 and Stage 2
In SwimSafer Stage 1 and Stage 2, we focus on building the basic foundation of swimming. These stages emphasize water confidence and introduce fundamental swimming techniques and movements. Participants will learn essential skills that set the groundwork for more advanced stages.
Developing Proficiency: SwimSafer Stage 3 and Stage 4
SwimSafer Stage 3 and Stage 4 are critical for developing swimming proficiency. At these levels, swimmers can swim up to 25 meters using various strokes such as front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and survival backstroke. Stage 4, also known as the Bronze level, introduces essential survival skills, preparing swimmers for real-life water scenarios.
Mastering Advanced Techniques: SwimSafer Stage 5 (Silver) and Stage 6 (Gold)
SwimSafer Stage 5 (Silver) and SwimSafer Stage 6 (Gold) are designed for mastering advanced swimming techniques. These stages include swim timing for three strokes: front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke, in distances of 50 meters and 100 meters respectively. Achieving proficiency in these stages ensures that participants are well-prepared for competitive swimming and advanced rescue techniques and also to allow them to take part in outdoor aquatic sports such as canoeing, kayaking, dragonboating and windsurfing.
Join Our SwimSafer Program Today!
Enhance your water safety skills and become a confident swimmer with our SwimSafer program. Click below for the first introduction of SwimSafer skills and take the first step towards mastering swimming proficiency.
Optimized Overview of the MOE SwimSafer Program
The MOE SwimSafer program typically consists of either 8 sessions of 1 hour each or 12 sessions, depending on scheduling preferences. Many MOE schools prefer 1.5-hour sessions to complete the program more quickly and facilitate collaboration with other schools for new SwimSafer projects.
On the first day of the program, participants are grouped into A, B, and C categories. Group A includes confident swimmers with some swimming certificates, Group B comprises confident swimmers who lack proper stroke technique and certifications, and Group C consists of individuals with water phobia and non-swimmers. After classification, participants are assigned to swimming instructors to continue the SwimSafer program. This structure ensures that the MOE SwimSafer program meets diverse needs effectively.
Certification and Recognition
Upon successful completion of each stage, participants receive an e-certificate, acknowledging their achievement and proficiency in that level. This achievement will then be relevant when they go for outdoor aquatic sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, dragon boating, etc.
Conclusion
The SwimSafer 2.0 Programme is an essential initiative for promoting water safety and swimming proficiency in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for MOE SwimSafer Programme in Singapore
Can Swimsafer Stage 6 (Gold) apply for Direct School Admission (DSA)?
No, Swimsafer Stage 6 (Gold) CANNOT be use to apply for DSA. To qualify for DSA, your child need to be in the Singapore National Age Group (SNAG) and must be in top 5% performer in his or her age group.
Can I exempt my child from the MOE Swimsafer Programme?
This will depend on the school governing policy. Different schools have different policy. You may want to check with the school to find out more. Some school will allow exemption if your child already has swimming lessons outside, whereas some school will request for at least swimsafer stage 3 for exemption. It is better that you check with the school to find out what are the requirement.
What is the benefits of having Swimsafer Stage 1 (Beginner) certificate compared to Swimsafer Stage 6 (Gold) ?
Swimsafer Stage 1 (Beginner) is a beginner level where children can participate in basic and less intensive aquatic sports and activities. They require minimal swimming skills and focus more on the water confidence and enjoyment. Swimsafer stage 1 is not into serious swimming yet. They can enjoy games such as Recreational swimming practise, Spalshing park and small sliders, basic water games such as water tag or pool relays in shallow water and under strict supervision.
Swimsafer 6 (Gold) on the other hand are more advanced level. It is the final stage of swimsafer. In this advanced stage, the children can engage in more challenging and competite aquatic sports such as competitive swimming, Lifesaving certification, Diving, Artistic Swimming, triathlon, biathlon, Open water swimming, Kayaking and canoeing, sailing and advance scuba diving. As you can see here, higher stages has more choices.
My child already has Swimsafer Stage 6 (Gold). Does he still need to attend the MOE Swimsafer Programme?
YOu may want to check with your school to find out more. Some schools will want their child to upgrade to SSPA. SSPA Stand for Singapore Swimming Proficiency Award. He/She will train for SSPA on either 50M freestyle, breaststroke or whichever strokes that your child is good at. To achieve the SSPA award, it has to meet the stipulated timing. Find out more about SSPA here.
Do you train SSPA for your weekly group class.
Yes.
What are the benefit of attaining SSPA award?
To prepare your child for competitive swimming.
If I don’t like SSPA, can I choose other?
Yes, you may check with us for more details and options. We can offer you Lifesaving 123 awards or Long dIstance swimming award. Lifesaving 123 award is one of the prestigous award that brings him more employment opportunties in the future. Contact us to find out more on the roadmap. Most MOE swimsafer program only has SSPA program if your child already attained Swimsafer Stage 6 (Gold).
How many stages are there in Swimsafer Program?
There are total 6 stages. Click here for more detail.
My child did not have swimsafer certificate, how will this impact the MOE swimsafer Program?
IF your child did not have any swimsafer certificate, the school will arrange for them to take Swimsafer stage 1 if he cannot swim. If he can swim 3 strokes already, then will depend on the discretion of the training coach that are trained under him. If the coach feel that he is ready for higher stage, he will assign. Decision is still up to the coach in training.
My child currently has Swimsafer Stage 3 certificate. Does he still need to attend the MOE swimsafer program?
Check with your school. If the school insist your child to continue the MOE Swimsafer Program, then he will be trained for Swimsafer Stage 4 (Bronze).
My child already know how to swim and Swimsafer Stage 1 or 2 components are too easy for him, but he does not have any swimsafer certificate. What should I do?
One of the Option is to Sign up a skill assessment with us and we will make recommendtaion, Or enrol in our weekly swimming class. Another option is to enrol in our popular 6 days Holiday Swimsafer Program during the June and Dec Holiday period.
My child failed MOE Swimsafer programme. What can I do?
AQZOG Swim School will be your solution. We will train up your child by attending our weekly classes or if not enrol in our 6 days Swimsafer programme.
My child is a competitive swimmer but do not have swimsafer certificate. Can he qualify for stage 6 (Gold)?
No. A competitive swimmer can swim very well and clear swim timing in most of the strokes at this stage. However, such swimmer has weaker performance in area of survival components such as treading water, backward somersault, side strokes, survival backstrokes. They could not even perform a straddle jump (Stage3) in some cases. In addition, their 5m underwater swim may not get thru as well.
My child has been playing water polo all the while. Can he qualify for Stage 6 (Gold)
No. Water Polo player are generally good at treading water, have great survivial skills such as breast stroke kicking and flutter kicking. But their head first surface dive to do the 5m underwater swim may be in doubt.