With VincyMas 2022 having concluded the question is now being raised about the possibility of rehiring teachers that decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves while speaking on the Issue At Hand program said this consideration could be given once there is no outbreak of COVID-19 following the carnival festivities.
“Now that we are staffing a fresh—or having new staffing arrangements for the new school term, what is the situation of those teachers in a epidemiological situation or an altered epidemiological situation so as far as COVID is concerned. Should those teachers who did not take the vaccine and who, under the law, where there is a requirement for them to take it and when they didn’t take it, they had abandoned their jobs under the law, where they should be offered to return of if they wish to return and on what conditions they return; in relation to vaccines, in relation to testing, mask wearing…” Gonsalves said.
The Prime Minister also raised the question of whether or not parents of students and vaccinated teachers would approve of the return on the unvaccinated teachers.
“The question also, “what would the parents say in relation to the liberalization of any conditions?” Would the parents feel than an unvaccinated teacher is safe to have in the classroom still? In relation to their children; Would the vaccinated teachers like the unvaccinated teacher inside of the staffroom? Because this is not only about those teachers who chose not to take the vaccine and who did not meet the requirement of law. Those are questions which may arise in the next couple of weeks.” He said.
Dr. Gonsalves said while it is not unreasonable to give consideration to the return of the unvaccinated teachers, it is not a straightforward issue, and whatever decision is made will be made with advice of the Chief Medical Officer and “those entrusted in law to provide relevant advice”.
