Schools will have to train students in the basics of first aid and emergency care.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has asked all affiliated schools to start lessons in first aid and basic emergency care for disaster preparedness. A notice issued by the board on November 24 directs schools to make arrangements to sensitise students about first aid.

First-aid training is not only important for the students but the faculty members and other employees too, said the board's joint secretary and in-charge of academics and training, D.T Sudarshan Rao.

"First aid will be included as one of the eight co-curricular activities for exams. This activity is compulsory from classes VI to X. According to the affiliation laws, schools are also required to appoint a health and physical education teacher who can look after first-aid arrangements in schools," he said.

St Karen's High School principal Seema Singh said: "The course will be fine-tuned to include specific concerns of the school, if any. The course will include practical training on how to help a child use asthma pumps (inhalers) and quick medication for any injury ."

"We will invite experts and organise demo classes to generate awareness among students and teachers," said M.S. Rahman, principal of Radiant International School. "It is very important for everyone to know what to do and what not to do during accidents on the campus."

"The school must have necessary medications for fever and cold, and painkillers and ointments for injuries," said general physician Arun Kumar Thakur. "Only theoretical knowledge will not help students . They should know about preliminary treatments of injuries."

Students welcomed the new additions to the subject of disaster management.

"The demo sessions will be helpful for valuable knowledge in healthcare. I often get injured during outdoor activities. The practical knowledge will help me," said Snighdha Shrey, a Class VII student of St Michael's High School.