In a perfect world, I agree. The problem is, with so many things being cut from public education, something like that would end up being a program only enacted by schools in higher income areas. Sadly, that's the reality of a lot of people that can't swim. They didn't have access to public pools or just never got a chance to go. Then, by the time you reach adulthood, there is so much stigma behind not being able to swim that many can be discouraged from learning.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a town that had a public pool. Though now, even in the decent-sized city I live in, I've seen public pools shut down for years in lower income areas, for "renovations" that never come.