Face-to-face learning possible when teachers, parents get vaccinated
Amid public concerns that remote learning is hampering the development of some children, Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley said in-person classes will be a possibility once teachers and parents are vaccinated.
Students are not required to be inoculated since children under 18 have not been verified to take the AstraZeneca vaccine now available in the BVI.
“I think with the vaccination of our teachers and parents, the pathway is there to get our children back in school. There are many persons concerned about the reopening of schools. I have spoken to the Ministry of Health and they’ve assured me that when teachers, parents and other persons in the society become vaccinated, then we can discuss what measures can be relaxed,” Dr Wheatley said.
He made that statement during the Virgin Islands Party’s Let’s Talk online radio programme last evening.
The minister explained that health officials made arrangements last week for teachers to be vaccinated. He also said he has arranged educational sessions for educators who have questions about the Aztrazeneca jabs.
“The pathway to the normalisation of our society — which includes the schools — has to do with us getting vaccinated,” Dr Wheatley reasoned.
Currently, it is not mandatory for anyone to take COVID-19 jabs in the BVI.
But reports have surfaced that some essential workers, including healthcare practitioners, police as well as Customs and Immigration officers have refused to take the jabs.
Public figures have been urging the public to take the jabs, saying it could lead to the full reopening of the economy.
More than half of the 8,000 Aztrazeneca doses donated by the United Kingdom have been administered. But many residents have indicated their unwillingness to take vaccines which gained approval in under a year.
“I think with the vaccination of our teachers and parents, the pathway is there to get our children back in school. There are many persons concerned about the reopening of schools. I have spoken to the Ministry of Health and they’ve assured me that when teachers, parents and other persons in the society become vaccinated, then we can discuss what measures can be relaxed,” Dr Wheatley said.
He made that statement during the Virgin Islands Party’s Let’s Talk online radio programme last evening.
The minister explained that health officials made arrangements last week for teachers to be vaccinated. He also said he has arranged educational sessions for educators who have questions about the Aztrazeneca jabs.
“The pathway to the normalisation of our society — which includes the schools — has to do with us getting vaccinated,” Dr Wheatley reasoned.
Currently, it is not mandatory for anyone to take COVID-19 jabs in the BVI.
But reports have surfaced that some essential workers, including healthcare practitioners, police as well as Customs and Immigration officers have refused to take the jabs.
Public figures have been urging the public to take the jabs, saying it could lead to the full reopening of the economy.
More than half of the 8,000 Aztrazeneca doses donated by the United Kingdom have been administered. But many residents have indicated their unwillingness to take vaccines which gained approval in under a year.
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