The Ministry of Education has launched a public welfare project aimed at enhancing first-aid preparedness and response capabilities in primary and secondary schools nationwide.

With support from charitable donations, the initiative will promote first-aid knowledge, install lifesaving equipment and deliver skills training to protect the health and safety of young students, according to a notice issued by the ministry on Tuesday.

Under the three-year initiative, automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, will be installed in schools in regions with limited first-aid resources. First-aid education studios will be set up in all districts and counties across the country — two per district or county — each equipped with three sets of AED trainers and mannequins.

The project will be rolled out in phases. In 2026, 11 provincial-level regions — including Beijing, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong and Guangdong — will participate. Another 11 regions will join in 2027, with the remaining 10 coming on board in 2028.

A total of four instructors will be trained at each first-aid education studio to build a professional teaching workforce. Provincial education authorities will organize first-aid training tailored to different school levels, ensuring that primary school students receive instruction in classrooms, while secondary school students gain practical skills through hands-on activities and field training.

The ministry called on local education authorities to work closely with the China Teacher Development Foundation and Tencent to ensure effective implementation. Priority will be given to setting up first-aid education studios in youth activity centers or larger schools to facilitate regular training.