Five thousand teachers in Kerala yet to take vaccine, some are not cooperating, says Minister Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly 5,000 teachers in the state are still reluctant to get vaccinated even as the new Covid variant poses a threat. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said that school authorities were forcing teachers, who had not been vaccinated, to return to work. The minister said that even when the vast majority of teachers were vaccinated, the non-cooperation of some could not be justified. "The safety of students is paramount. The fact that teachers are reluctant to take vaccines is an issue for the health of students and Kerala," the minister said.

The education department had recently decided to extend school hours till the evening to complete the portions. However, parents are raising concerns about the reluctance of teachers to get vaccinated.

The education department does not have the list of teachers who are yet to take the vaccine. The department had promised to provide security for half a million students to come to school. The government had promised that teachers would take two doses of the vaccine.