Jeyanthan

My name is Jeyanthan Krishanthasan, and I’m a homeroom teacher at Jaffna Central College in Sri Lanka. For more than ten years, I’ve devoted myself with passion to the education and development of my students. The well-being of the children is especially close to my heart. Throughout my teaching career I’ve faced many challenges and memorable moments, but one incident in 2016 in Nuwara Eliya left a deep mark on me and showed me just how crucial first aid is in schools. Back then I witnessed firsthand how a student was seriously injured while playing. During a high jump he hit a ceiling fan and suffered a severe head injury. The wound was deep, bleeding heavily, and needed urgent medical care—but the school had no quick access to bandages or first-aid supplies. Many teachers also lacked basic first-aid knowledge to act effectively in such a situation. In the end, transport to the hospital was inadequate as well, and tragically a child lost his life. This event made it painfully clear how urgently Sri Lankan schools need better first-aid equipment and proper training for teachers. Children spend much of their time at school, and accidents are inevitable. It is therefore essential that both teachers and students have the knowledge and materials to respond quickly and correctly in an emergency. I actively advocate for improving safety standards in schools. My commitment to education goes beyond teaching; I want to raise awareness of the need for first aid. That’s why I volunteer as District Manager in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, to help enhance school safety. My goal is to promote first-aid programs and provide schools with the resources they need to save lives. “Education doesn’t just save lives.”