The Ministry of Education employs the largest workforce in the Fijian Civil Service and in its effort to have a fully vaccinated workforce, the Ministry confirms that as of Friday 24 September, 4,669 staff have been fully vaccinated and 8,524 staff have received their first Jab, giving a total of 13,193 staff.
The Ministry is working with its Divisional and District Officers to obtain daily vaccination updates. To date, the Ministry has terminated 127 staff due to unwillingness to vaccinate. There were only 10 teachers who provided the Ministry with an exemption certificate from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Minister for Education, Premila Kumar has urged all teachers to receive both doses of AstraZeneca by 31st October 2021 so they can maintain their jobs and for maximum protection from the deadly virus. These vaccinations have been approved by the World Health Organization and are safe.
The Ministry expects all teaching and ancillary staff as well as others closely associated with schools to be fully vaccinated for the safety of students.