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Teachers threaten strike if not vaccinated

05 Jul 2021

By Buddhika Samaraweera   Although there is no objection to the Education Ministry’s plan to open schools with less than 100 students in July as a first step of reopening schools that are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers’ trade unions have warned that they would not report to work if all teachers are not vaccinated prior to the reopening. When contacted by The Morning, Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU) Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said that despite the Education Ministry’s massive campaign that Covid-19 vaccines would be given to teachers, no formal programme has been put in place thus far in that regard. He added that therefore, in such a situation, if the Education Ministry fails to take necessary steps to ensure the health safety of teachers, students, and all others concerned, they would not report for duty even if the schools are reopened. “We are not opposing the Ministry’s plans to restore the education system that has collapsed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We would appreciate it if the Ministry could reopen schools and bring education back to normal, but we request that it be done in a manner that ensures the health safety of the teachers and the students in the current situation,” he explained. He further noted that if schools are to be opened in this manner, arrangements should be made to disinfect them on a daily basis. He pointed out that the Education Ministry could even obtain the support of local government bodies to take the necessary steps for this purpose. Meanwhile, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin told The Morning: “What we ask is to implement any programme to restore the education of thousands of students islandwide. If possible, reopen schools too. However, all these things should be done following the vaccination of the teachers, principals, and other non-academic staff.” Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris recently said that in view of the urgent need to reopen schools that have been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a programme is expected to be launched within the month of July to open schools with less than 100 students, subject to health guidelines. “During discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he emphasised that the vaccination of teachers was the first step in this regard. Accordingly, 1,439 schools where there are less than 50 students and 1,523 schools with 51-100 students are planned to be reopened in July following the health guidelines. According to the relevant plan, all teachers, officials, and principals will be vaccinated,” he noted.


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