BANDAR Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has warned of public mistrust of Government decisions, following an earlier announcement by Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin on Thursday (April 28) that teachers who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to teach students in physical classes when the schooling session resumes.
Dr Yii who heads the parliamentary select committee on health, science and innovation said that the decision indicated an inconsistency in policy-making.
“Such inconsistencies basically build mistrust of government decisions. After this who will follow a directive as it may be changed overtime?” Dr Yii told FMT.
“In my view, all high-risk groups and carers of high-risk groups, including teachers, should be vaccinated.”
In making the statement Radzi said that what was more important was that the wearing of face masks remained mandatory in classrooms and other enclosed spaces.
Last September Radzi said teachers who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus will not be allowed to return to schools for physical classes.
The decision to bar them from physically teaching and interacting with students was to ensure that schools would reopen safely for students, teachers and the management, he added.
Back then he also noted that 2,500 teachers had turned down the COVID-19 vaccination citing various health factors and also a lack of confidence in the vaccines.
The Education Ministry also announced that it will take action from Nov 1 against teachers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 without valid reasons.
Dr Yii, who is also DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) chief, further remarked that parents should be informed about unvaccinated teachers in their children’s schools and said that such teachers should perform a self-test before going to school each day. – April 29, 2022
