Ministry urges educators to take covid jab

TEACHERS MUST TAKE THE COVID JAB in preparation for the anticipated September 6
reopening of schools throughout Guyana the Education Ministry said.
Schools have been closed for 17 months in Guyana following the first recorded death here from
the highly contagious and deadly COVID-19. There is unanimous agreement that students
learning is suffering despite strident national efforts at online learning.
“Due to the closure of schools globally, international studies and our local experience revealed
that students suffered tremendous learning loss. Some of our students have also dropped out of
school. This situation is expected to worsen if our school doors remain closed longer,” the
ministry said.
Teachers must continue to cooperate with the national vaccination effort for a return to in-class
learning.
“So far, thousands of our teachers have been vaccinated against COVID-19. We recognise and
commend them for the necessary and life-saving step taken to protect themselves, their families,
their students and all of Guyana,” the ministry release said.
It promised “the Ministry of Education will provide to all teachers face masks, face shields,
sanitizing agents (environ) and spray bottles to assist in ensuring they are safe upon their return
to the classroom. As the Ministry has said on previous occasions, the reopening will not be the
same for every school. Based on the space and circumstances at each school individualized
measures will be applied to ensure the safety of all.”
The ministry also has measures in place for educators who are still vaccine hesitant on the Astra
Zeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines currently available for the
adult population.

“If any of our teachers has questions on these vaccines or any related question, the Ministry of
Education has solicited the assistance of three doctors to provide responses and they can be
reached on telephone numbers: 650 – 2289 (Dr Farah December); 650 – 2308 (Dr. Oneka Scott)
and 650 – 2312 (Dr Ertenisa Hamilton).”
“This is to provide teachers with an opportunity to speak with medical professionals and
have their concerns addressed,” the Ministry said.