Swimming course vouchers have recently been introduced in Bavaria.
However, they cannot be redeemed everywhere, which leads to a lack of understanding.
Landkreis
- Getting a place in a swimming course is currently not easy. The waiting lists are often long - in the past few months, due to the pandemic, hardly any courses could be offered, which is still noticeable. Michaela, who doesn't want to read her last name in the newspaper, found what she was looking for for her six-year-old daughter - but in Oberammergau. “The course costs us 180 euros, plus travel costs, admission and parking fees,” says the Altenstadt resident. The state government's voucher for 50 euros for a “seahorse” course came in handy.
The problem: At the Aquafun swimming school, which Michaela's daughter attends, the vouchers cannot yet be redeemed.
This is only possible with the "DLRG, the water rescue service and qualified Bavarian swimming clubs", according to a message from the district administration.
“Absolutely absurd,” says the mother.
Finally, other providers also teach children to swim.
"Why a difference is made here is a mystery to me."
Providers must clarify whether they can accept swimming course vouchers
Of course, the same goes for the provider himself. “It's a tough story,” says Oliver Page, owner of the Aquafun swimming school in Murnau.
“The Ministry of State had no commercial, full-time schools on its radar at all.
Unfortunately, the campaign was not well thought out. “They probably wanted to prevent the vouchers from being misused, said Page.
Intensive discussions are currently underway with the district office and the ministry, according to Page, an individual examination is planned.
“We have to wait for the result.
But we are well positioned. "
The school registers around 500 participants per month.
Even if Aquafun may subsequently be approved for the vouchers, which Page is hoping for, he could not simply use the 50 euros per participant on this grand scale.
According to his own statements, his swimming school is one of the largest in Bavaria and the courses are “at least as professional as those at Wasserwacht & Co.”.
But after he opened his own swimming school in 1997, the license is no longer up-to-date.
The swimming department there is still clarifying whether vouchers can be redeemed through TSV Weilheim.
A clear statement about this cannot yet be made, explains the deputy head of department Kati Heimpel.
However, there are of course children who would like to hand over the voucher.
Swimming course vouchers as a "campaign gift"
You have no problem accepting the vouchers at the water rescue service in the Weilheim-Schongau district.
In fact, numerous vouchers are currently being issued, says Magnus Magg from the Peiting-Schongau water rescue service.
“The courses are full until next year,” he says.
The situation is similar in Weilheim.
"But the courses are always full - the vouchers now have no influence on that," says Magg.
Nevertheless, he takes a critical view of the vouchers - “an election gift, nothing else”.
This does not solve the real problem.
A lot has built up because no courses could be offered during the pandemic, “only a little something was possible in between.
The demand is huge. ”But one could not offer more courses.
Clubs can no longer offer swimming courses - often waiting lists
The same is true of the swimming department at TSV Weilheim: “Due to the almost one and a half year pandemic-related break in the swimming department, the waiting list has grown a lot. We currently have a waiting period of at least six months for new registrations, ”says Kati Heimpel. The offer can only be expanded “to a limited extent, because we no longer have the capacity in the form of trainers and swimming times”. She makes it clear: "Our volunteer staff and trainers try to teach as many children as possible to swim!"
Magg from the Peiting-Schongau water rescue service would have found it better if the money had been put into the swimming pools instead of vouchers, which had to close for a long time.
He also criticizes the fact that the voucher is only valid for preschool children and first graders.
“In one course we have a second grader - he doesn't get a discount.
That's not fair, ”says Magg.
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