Teachers who reject vaccinations won't be allowed to teach

KANGAR: The Education Ministry has determined that teachers who refuse to be vaccinated will not be allowed to interact with students face-to-face when schools reopen on Oct 3.

Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said the measure was to ensure that the school ecosystem would be safe for students.

"We are taking this step to ensure that parents are confident that the school environment is safe for their children," he told reporters here yesterday.

Radzi had earlier held an engagement session with parents, teachers and school administrators in Perlis to get input regarding the reopening of schools on Oct 3.

He said there still were 2,500 teachers who have not been vaccinated and that 96.7 per cent have received at least one shot while 85.26 per cent have completed both shots.

He said the ministry would issue assignment guidelines for unvaccinated teachers.

"We are also discussing with the Public Service Department regarding action against teachers who do not want to be vaccinated," he added.

Radzi said that besides teachers, school support staff including canteen workers, cleaning staff and security guards at schools must also be vaccinated.

"Currently, 73.71 per cent of school support staff have been fully vaccinated and 89.43 per cent have received at least one dose of the vaccine jab," he added.

-- BERNAMA