Kottayam: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, BCM College, a 70-year-old women’s college run by the Archeparchy of Kottayam, has launched compulsory swimming lessons for its students alongside regular academic courses.
The programme kicked off on Thursday and will benefit nearly 1,000 students over the coming weeks. The classes will take place at Thoppans Aquatics, a private swimming academy on the town’s outskirts, under a special tie-up with the college. Students will pay a concessional fee and receive joint certification from the college and the academy upon completion.
Principal KV Thomas said the initiative stemmed from concerns following multiple recent drowning incidents. “We conducted a survey and were shocked to find that only five students knew how to swim,” he said. He added that the afternoon classes (post 1:30 p.m.) would empower students with life-saving skills and help them face emergencies with confidence.
Veteran swimming coach Joy Joseph Thoppan, who runs Thoppans Aquatics with his brother and retired DIG Jacob TJ, said this is the first time they are training college students, although they’ve previously worked with schools. Each student will undergo around 20–25 sessions of structured swimming lessons.
This forward-thinking move not only equips students with a crucial survival skill but also sets a model for holistic education in Kerala.
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