In the aftermath of a powerful low-pressure trough system that battered the Caribbean island of Dominica on April 26, 2026, widespread heavy rain and flooding have forced the closure of 11 educational institutions across the island’s hardest-hit regions. The country’s Ministry of Education issued an official public alert targeting school leaders, educators, students, families and local communities, confirming the temporary shutdowns that went into effect starting April 27.
The extreme weather event left much of Dominica waterlogged, with the most severe disruptions recorded in the island’s Eastern and Northeastern Districts. Joint damage and access assessments carried out by the Ministry of Education and Dominica’s Office of Disaster Management verified that safe entry routes to multiple schools in these areas have been either severely damaged or completely blocked by flood-related debris and damage. The 11 affected campuses span both primary and secondary education levels: Concord Primary, Atkinson Primary, Salybia Primary, Sineku Primary, Castle Bruce Primary, San Sauveur Primary, Wesley Primary, Wills Strathmore Stevens (WS Stevens) Primary, Temple Seventh Day Adventist Primary, Castle Bruce Secondary, and North East Comprehensive.
The closure order came following an emergency Cabinet meeting called specifically to coordinate the government’s response to the severe weather event. Officials have urged residents in flood-impacted zones to maintain strict safety protocols, stay alert to changing conditions, and monitor all official communications for guidance on the evolving situation. The Ministry of Education has committed to releasing new updates promptly as floodwaters recede and assessment teams complete full reviews of campus damage to determine when normal school operations can resume.