Shillong, Jan 5: Meghalaya has once again hit a bottleneck when it comes to its vaccination drive with the drive meeting resistance in the inoculations of 15-18 age group, the vaccination drive for which started on January 3, 2022. Apparently, the response to the vaccination programme has been ‘quite discouraging’ in the past two days.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Wednesday informed that the response during the past two days has been ‘quite discouraging’, even as the Education department has sought reports from all schools on the vaccination status.
“It is quite discouraging, maybe it is the beginning but I must categorically state that nobody could protect us if we don’t protect ourselves,” he said.
He also urged the parents and the students community who have attained the age of 15 years to get vaccinated at the earliest, for their safety, for the safety of the classroom and safety of the school environment.
He also mentioned that the Director of School Education & Literacy has issued a letter to all respective District School Education Officers (DSEOs) and Sub Divisional School Education Officers (SDSEOs) to get the record of all those who have been vaccinated.
Closing of educational institutions
When asked if the department is likely to close down schools and other education institutions in the state, Rymbui said that no decision has been taken in this regard.
“We will observe (the situation) for sometime then only we will issue orders at the appropriate time,” he added.
He also reminded that the political department had already issued a notification since last year which empowered the respective deputy commissioners and respective school managing committees (SMCs) to take a decision at their level.
“The order has empowered the local administration and the SMCs to take decisions then and there if there is any case,” he added.
When asked, the education minister informed that necessary instructions have already been issued directing the teachers to get vaccinated and those who have not to produce an RT-PCR test once in every ten days.
Observing situation
The education minister further maintained that the department is reviewing the situation as he asserted the need to avoid knee jerk reaction.
“We have to observe (the situation) because a blanket ban of anything will not help,” he said while emphasizing the need to sensitize all stakeholders on the importance of ensuring a safe school environment.
Online and offline classes
Rymbui also reiterated the importance of offline education.
“If we count the loss of livelihood, loss of economic activities it is a temporary loss but loss of education to our young minds, is a big loss. As I said time and again that offline education is a must but with a safe environment,” he said.
Recalling the impact of online classes on the students especially in the rural areas, Rymbui however said, “There is no one solution which will fix all. Therefore, micro management of everything is more important to the best of my opinion.”
“It seems that Covid-19 is far ahead of whatever we think. Having said that there is no solution to this until and unless we take care of ourselves, we take care of our own family, and we take care about the environment we live in,” he added.
