Adib Noor
Some 584 students, aged 12 to 17, have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, said Acting Minister of Education Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh at the daily press conference yesterday.
Among the reasons given, she said, were health concerns, parents not giving consent for their children to receive the vaccine and students not currently in the country.
The acting minister added that of the 584 unvaccinated students, 38 per cent are due to the lack of consent from the parents.
“We urge these parents to get their children vaccinated, so they can attend classes with their friends when school re-opens next week,” she said.
Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah also reminded parents that unvaccinated students are not allowed on school grounds. Instead they will continue to attend class remotely and through home learning packs.
Meanwhile, the acting minister said, more than 99 per cent of teachers are immunised against the coronavirus.
She said that “24 teachers at public schools have not been vaccinated, with 11 due to health reasons and five claiming they are not ready and eight stating that they do not wish to be vaccinated”.
Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah reiterated that it is mandatory for all staff at educational institutions to be vaccinated.
“On January 3, 2022, all schools will re-open to students Year 10 and above, and all teachers are expected to be there to support the resumption of physical lessons,” she said.
As such, the acting minister urged unvaccinated teachers to “sympathise with students who have taken steps to be inoculated to make up for the school experience missed due to the pandemic”.
