Only 18 primary schools in the city and county are known to be meeting the Government's swimming targets, according to a survey.
The research, by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), based at Loughborough University, suggests only a small number of schools are ensuring that pupils can swim 25 metres unaided by the time they are 11-years-old.
The Government expects all pupils to meet this benchmark as part of the national curriculum before they leave primary school.
About 3,500 schools were surveyed across England. However, only 44 primary schools in Leicester and Leicestershire responded with 18 (41 per cent) saying they met the Government's target.
A spokeswoman for ASA, which looks after swimming throughout England, said: "It must be taken into account that a smaller number of schools responded to the survey in this region. However, the national picture is robust because of the overall amount of respondents."
The survey found that schools are not achieving anywhere near the recommended level of delivery time.
David Sparkes, chief executive of ASA, has urged the Government to show its commitment to swimming by asking Ofsted to monitor schools' delivery of swimming lessons through the inspection process.
Overall the survey showed that 49 per cent of state school pupils could swim 25 metres unaided by the age of 11.
The report said 1.1 million school children could not swim.
The average state school pupil spent just eight hours and 15 minutes a year in swimming lessons at school – well under the 22 hours recommended by the Department for Education.
It said that drowning was among the leading causes of accidental death of children and young people in England.
In September, each primary school will receive a minimum of £9,000 additional ring-fenced funding as part of the Government's £150 million injection into PE and school sport.
ASA is calling for curriculum swimming and water safety to be a priority.
Mr Sparkes said: "School swimming is the single most effective way of teaching children how to be safe in and around water."
Brookside Primary, in Oadby, has its own pool.
Headteacher Lynn Bruce, said: "Swimming is a key skill and should certainly remain part of the curriculum, given that it's also a life-saving skill. Children need to have the confidence to swim and there are obvious health benefits which come with it. We're very lucky to have our own pool and therefore do not need to take into account transport costs or time out of the classroom."
