The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training & National Excellence has partnered with IsraAID to launch a Hurricane Preparedness Activity Book for primary school students.
The activity book provides a fun and interactive guide for children to learn about and prepare for a hurricane. It provides parents, guardians and children with useful tips, fun activities, important reminders, and a relatable story to help the entire family prepare for the hurricane season.
The release of the activity book was delayed due to a refocus on the reopening of school during the Coronavirus pandemic and the development of guidelines and protocols for the resumption of classes.
The activity book is designed for easy use among children and their parents and will be reproduced and updated yearly for distribution within the school system.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Chandler Hyacinth welcomed the initiative as a means of educating children and their parents about the dangers of a hurricane and preparedness measures.
“IsraAID continues to support the Ministry’s efforts to improve our disaster preparedness at both the Ministry and school levels and to boost capacity. Since the passage of Hurricane Maria, IsraAID has helped us develop emergency contingency plans for all schools and made available first aid kits for distribution.
“This new intervention will empower our students and their parents with critical knowledge for disaster preparedness and is in line with our continuing efforts to increase resilience among our student population,” Hyacinth said.
Head of Programs at IsraAID Dominica, Felicia Pierre, said IsraAID was excited to once again partner with the Ministry of Education.
“The activity book builds on the foundation of our mission to strengthen resilience within family structures, empower Dominicans with tools and resources to be self-sufficient and support at risk populations and groups,” Pierre said.
In September, IsraAID collaborated with the Ministry of Education on the ‘Healthy Return to School’ project conducting webinars for education officers, guidance counselors and curriculum officers on health, sanitation and safety matters.
IsraAID also assisted with the printing of COVID-19-themed posters for all schools in Dominica.
