MERIDEN MP, Saqib Bhatti is calling for a shake-up to the curriculum to highlight water safety in honour of the four boys who died in Babbs Mill Lake.
Mr Bhatti has written to the minister of state for School, Nick Gibb asking for revised curriculum guidelines to highlight the importance of water safety and understanding the implications of cold-water shock.
The Conservative MP is calling on the Government to include improved water safety education in the upcoming Department of Education review into Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) curriculum.
Finlay Butler, eight, his younger brother Samuel, six, their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, and Jack Johnson, 10, died following the tragic incident in the park in December.
Since then Mr Bhatti has spoken in Parliament around the need for highlighting the importance of water safety and the particular implications of cold-water shock on the body.
Mr Bhatti said: “The tragedy compels us all to reflect on how better we can safeguard and educate our children on the importance of water safety, particularly on cold-water shock.
“By incorporating such vital knowledge in our schools, we can ensure that our children are equipped to make safe decisions and protect themselves.
“Our community devastated by the tragedy at Babbs Mill Lake.
“The heroic efforts of public bystanders and emergency services, who selflessly risked their own safety by plunging into the freezing water in an attempt to rescue the boys, stand as a testament to our community’s courage.
“The Kingshurst community exemplified unity and shared compassion. I pay tribute to them all.”
The tragic incident in December shocked the community and nation and in the days following hundreds paid tribute to the boys – including West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police, who were part of the rescue – by laying flowers, cards and balloons by a tree in the park.
Last month a mural was installed in the park to remember the Babbs Mill Boys.
The National Water Safety Forum say drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the UK, with approximately 400 lives lost annually.
