A new phase of disaster preparedness education has been introduced in Dominica’s primary schools following the launch of the Kay & Kelan Early Childhood Disaster Risk Reduction (ECDRR) Toolkit Level 2 by “non-governmental humanitarian aid organization” IsraAID Dominica.
According to an IsraAID press release, the organization, working in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has distributed the toolkit to 21 of the island’s most vulnerable primary schools. Designed for students in Grades 1 to 3, typically between the ages of six and eight, the IsraAID team said that the initiative represents a significant step in strengthening climate resilience and disaster preparedness within the education system.
The organization says that the rollout builds on years of collaboration between IsraAID, the Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders aimed at improving the sector’s capacity to respond to natural hazards. Since 2017, the partnership has focused on integrating disaster risk reduction concepts into learning environments, beginning with preschool and pre-kindergarten students through the original Kay & Kelan programme.
The new toolkit is intended to help teachers introduce disaster preparedness concepts through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Students are taught how to prepare for and respond to various hazards using interactive and play-based learning methods.
IsraAID Dominica and Eastern Caribbean Director Synde Moses Joseph said the programme has evolved far beyond its original scope and is now being successfully implemented across the Eastern Caribbean.
“We want to thank the Ministry of Education—the relationship we have built over the years is one of genuine collaboration. You not only received our programs, you have helped us shape them, allowing us access to your schools, educators, and students. The Kay & Kelan initiative no longer needs IsraAID to carry it. This initiative has grown into a multi-component, digitally enabled school-based resilience curriculum. Its expansion across the region has been a resounding success, proving its value in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. Now, we are asking the Ministry to champion this initiative and become a guiding model of educational resilience for the rest of the region,” stated Joseph.
Reports are that education officials welcomed the programme’s continued growth and its contribution to student well-being. Chief Education Officer Jeffrey Blaize underscored the Ministry’s commitment to creating safe learning environments and highlighted the important role education plays during times of crisis.
“I must emphasize that the Ministry of Education is deeply focused on safety. We pride ourselves on the safety of our students—not just from environmental hazards, but in all aspects. We work to ensure that our school spaces are child-friendly so that students feel comfortable. When children are comfortable, they are already halfway through their learning process. We establish safety, then comfort, and then we have the learning. Furthermore, maintaining education in communities affected by disasters helps bring back a vital sense of normalcy. In a crisis situation, education supports children psychologically and emotionally, keeping them safe while helping them cope with these immense challenges,” said Blaize.
Assistant Chief Education Officer Nadia Ferrol also praised the initiative’s impact on schools and communities, stating, “This initiative helps teachers foster a culture of safety and empowers children with knowledge and skills that can help protect them, their families, and their communities. We want to thank IsraAID for their contribution and investment in the resilience of our schools across the island.”
According to the press release, the Level 2 toolkit contains a wide range of educational materials, including the Kay & Kelan Can Prepare for Different Hazards Student Activity Book and Teacher’s Manual, a guide for integrating disaster risk reduction topics into the curriculum, a toolkit guide, 26 educational flashcards, a USB drive loaded with original disaster risk reduction songs, a hazards and safety board game, the “Be Safe!” card game, a 100-piece “What’s in the Go-bag?” puzzle, a 36-piece “Fire Officers” puzzle, and a multi-hazard wall poster.
IsraAID stated that the resources are intended to strengthen disaster awareness while supporting the development of a lasting culture of safety and resilience among young learners throughout Dominica.
