MELAKA – School administrators have the authority to inspect a teacher’s vaccination certificate beginning today, says Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
He said the move is to ensure that no teacher fails to adhere to the circular issued by the Public Service Department (PSD), which said it is compulsory for civil servants to be vaccinated.
“Beginning today, schools will check digital vaccination certificates. We want to know if teachers are telling the truth about whether they have been vaccinated.
“We do not want to deal with cases where they claim to have been vaccinated but in actual fact, they have yet to be vaccinated.
“And, we will be sure to check the vaccination certificates of teachers to ensure the data we have is accurate come November 1. The move is also to enable us to take necessary action, and ensure the action taken is based on accurate data,” he told reporters after an engagement session at SK Ayer Molek here today.
In its latest circular, PSD said it is mandatory for all civil servants including teachers to be fully vaccinated before November 1 or face disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Radzi said the move is to ensure that teachers and the Education Ministry create a safe environment for schoolchildren as the country still faces the threat of Covid-19.
“We must understand that teachers are constantly with their pupils and parents.
“So, it is very important for teachers and the Education Ministry to create a safe environment and convince parents that schools are actually safe places. Therefore, it is important for teachers to be vaccinated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Radzi said, a total of 694,531 Year 1, 2 and 3 students, as well as 652,142 Form 3 and 4 students, have started attending school in states under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan, namely Melaka, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. – Bernama, November 1, 2021
