Building a Safer, More Resilient Education System: Ministry of Education and IsraAID Kick Off 2026 by Equipping Teachers with Life-Saving Medical Skills

The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence, in collaboration with IsraAID, successfully concluded a comprehensive two days of First Aid and CPR certification training for primary and secondary school teachers.

The initiative equipped 47 teachers from across the island with essential life-saving skills, ensuring a safer environment for students and the wider community. Participants underwent rigorous training in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and the proper use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These educators will be fully certified through the St. John Association of Saint Lucia, a recognized leader in first aid standards.

Robert Guiste, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, emphasized the long-term impact of the program:

"On Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with IsraAID Dominica, conducted first aid and CPR training with 47 teachers from primary and secondary schools across the island. The training was intended to increase schools' capacity to respond effectively to medical emergencies and accidents. This initiative aligns with our national priorities for building a safer, more resilient education system."

Mr. Guiste continued, "In addition to the training sessions, Cabinet Secretariat will be procuring first aid kits and fire extinguishers for all schools. Moreover, considering the safety of our TVET teachers, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided for teachers engaging the skill areas. The Ministry intends to continue with the first aid and CPR training; we will be conducting another session for at least 50 more teachers by the end of January 2026 and during the summer, we're hoping to train at least another 50 more teachers. This training that was recently concluded costed in excess of $8,000 and was covered by IsraAID Dominica. We wish to thank them for this initiative and look forward to a continued partnership."

Wynela Francis, Senior Programme Officer at IsraAID, added:

"As we begin the new year, we are happy to continue to support the Ministry of Education on this timely initiative. First Aid and CPR training is a lifesaving skill and increasing the number of trained staff will directly contribute to increased school safety and emergency preparedness."

The sessions were facilitated by a new cohort of instructors who were trained during IsraAID and the Office of Disaster Management’s (ODM) 2025 capacity-building programs. These facilitators, who are also members of the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services, represent a strategic effort to increase the number of qualified First Aid instructors on the island.

This collaboration highlights a sustainable approach to disaster preparedness, utilizing local expertise to build long-term resilience within the Dominican education system.