Everyone has a role to play in COVID-19 fight – Min. Manickchand

─ reiterates call for persons to take the jab

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, MP, says everyone must be responsible by adhering to the COVID-19 protocols and get vaccinated, to protect the younger population.

The Minister was speaking during a press conference last Friday, at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

“A child whose parent did not get vaccinated and was careless…infects that child and that child brings it into the classroom, and that’s why we have to make sure we’re distanced, wearing masks and sanitising.

“So, is there a risk that, that could happen? There’s a possibility, but we have to minimise that as a country, parents have to get vaccinated, teachers need to get vaccinated… we really need to be responsible as a people.”

Minister Manickchand said there are deadlier variants of COVID-19, which are now affecting the younger population, therefore persons should make conscious efforts to get immunised.

She noted the importance of the reopening of schools to economic development.

“Then we have a choice to make, do we keep schools close forever knowing fully well that this will… [lead to poverty] and not lives alone, a lot of generations… and so it’s very important that we balance safety and practically,” Minister Manickchand said.

The Minister added that the decision to reopen schools was based on studies across the world, which concluded that there would be severe learning loss; and the call by parents and teachers for the return to face-to-face learning.

She noted that vaccines are available to the public and the Health Ministry will deliver them to all regions.