Almost all staff at 57 aided Chinese primary schools fully vaccinated

KUCHING: Over 90 per cent of 1,916 teachers and supporting staff of 57 aided Chinese primary schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian divisions have completed their Covid-19 vaccination.

According to Association of Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Jonathan Chai, such percentage rate is much higher than the national average of slightly over 60 per cent recorded by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

“Based on a survey conducted by the association recently, 1,782 out of 1,916 teachers, administrative staff, cleaners, security guards and general workers of our 57 member schools had been vaccinated, as at July 7.

“The over 90 per cent in vaccination rate is a very encouraging figure and it will definitely help make the school a safer place when physical classes resume,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

Nevertheless, Chai said everyone would still have to continue complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) despite having undergone full vaccination.

“Ideally, we hope that the physical classes would only resume once all the students have been vaccinated, but looking at the progress of our immunisation programme and the supply of vaccines at the moment, the vaccination programme for school students is unlikely to materialise by this Sept 1,” he added.

On Saturday, the MoE announced that schools would reopen for physical classes in stages beginning Sept 1.

The announcement would apply to all government schools, government-aided schools, private schools and educational institutions registered with the ministry.

However, this ruling would be subject to changes, depending on the latest risk assessments by the Ministry of Health and National Security Council.

MoE said it would inform further details on the reopening of schools for face-to-face learning at least one week prior.

Schools in Malaysia were ordered to close in early May after the Covid-19 situation became worse, with some schools reporting positive cases.

Primary school-pupils had returned to school in March and secondary school students resumed their physical classes in April.

Presently, all schools are on mid-year break until July 24.