Over 100 teachers in Terengganu have refused to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, which only represents a small percentage of the total number of teachers serving in the state, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
“I don’t know why they don’t want to receive the vaccine,” he said to reporters today (13 September).
“My only request is for them to reconsider their decision for the benefit of all parties, including their families and their students.”
He added that currently, the teachers can only be persuaded to receive the vaccine as there are no rules or laws that allow any action to be taken against them, reported BERNAMA.
Ahmad Samsuri said the number has since changed as some teachers have received the vaccine after being persuaded while the rest are ‘hardcore’ or rigid, according to Sinar Harian.
When asked if teachers who refused to get vaccinated would need to undergo frequent Covid-19 tests once school reopens, Ahmad Samsuri said that it could be one of the ways to deal with the issue.
“That may be one way. If they are willing to do the test once every two weeks, that’s up to them,” he said.
Previously, Minister of Education Dr Radzi Jidin said that teachers who refuse to get vaccinated will be banned from teaching and interacting with students face-to-face to ensure that schools are a safe environment for children.
It was also reported that 779 teachers in Johor rejected the Covid-19 vaccine, 396 of whom were sceptical about the vaccine while the other 383 postponed their vaccination due to allergies and other health conditions, according to Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
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