Grades three and four students in the Winnipeg School Division are going get swimming lessons as part of their regular curriculum.

The Swimming Counts program is a pilot project running for the remainder of this school year at 59 schools.

WSD school trustee Mark Wasyliw says the program will save lives by teaching students basic water survival skills.

"Our students will receive three 40-minute pool times, plus one hour (of) water safety education in the classroom," he says.

Wasyliw says for many students it will be a new experience.

"We have immigrant students who come from landlocked countries, with few if any rivers or lakes; we also have many inner city students who simply haven't had the opportunity that many of us take for granted when it comes to learning about water safety," says Wasyliw.

City Councillor Mike Pagtakhan says the program will provide streamlined lessons and reach kids in schools directly.

Once the pilot program has finished, it will be evaluated and may be considered for other Winnipeg schools, in an effort to assist in drowning prevention strategies for young children.

The program partners the City of Winnipeg, WSD, and the Canadian Red Cross.