ONE coach to 20 students - this appears to be the standard ratio, going by checks with secondary schools.

Raffles Institution, Victoria School and Beatty Secondary School, for example, follow this ratio, while Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) lowers it to one coach to 15 students.

However, some coaches and National Water Safety Council chairman Teo Ho Pin think 20 might be too many students for one instructor to handle.

Mr Dan Ong, owner of swimming school Learnswim, said that, based on his experience, it is difficult for a coach to monitor a class of that size. His instructors usually have six to eight students in a class.

Referring to New Town Secondary's class, he noted however, that it was held on a weekday afternoon, when the pool would not have been too crowded.

Dr Teo, suggesting a ratio of one instructor to 12 students, said: 'The student-teacher ratio should not be that big. But it also depends on the age and competency level of the students.'

At least 60 primary and secondary schools have signed up for the Learn To Swim Programme, which teaches elementary swimming proficiency.

Daniel's was the first drowning during a school- organised swimming lesson. Last year, 16 reported drownings took place.

He said: 'I am always very saddened by all these drownings because they are unnecessary and could have been prevented.''

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 30, 2008