Nay Pyi Taw- Arrangements have been made to reopen basic education schools after October school holidays and it is necessary to give full dose of COVID-19 vaccination to middle and high school students according to Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council, Deputy Prime Minister, Vice-Senior General Soe Win at the coordination meeting to give COVID-19 vaccines to middle and high school students over 12 years of age of Basic Education Department under the Ministry of Education at the hall of Bayintnaung Villa, Nay Pyi Taw on September 30.
He said that a plan was adopted to complete vaccination for 50 per cent of Myanmar’s population above 18 years at the end of December 2021. COVID-19 control and emergency response committee have been coordinating with response committees from States and Regions to implement the planned objectives and working for vaccination.
He continued in saying that schools (primary, middle, and high schools) were opened not to lose students’ right for perusing education. Unfortunately, the third wave of COVID-19 hit Myanmar and so schools had to temporarily close as the numbers of positive cases increased. Now that the infection rate has been declining and it has been reduced to 7 and 8 percent of daily positivity rate. As a result, plans for reopening of schools have been made. In order to do so, arrangements have been made for the students to attend schools without worrying COVID-19 as well as for the reopening of schools beyond October holidays. But, middle and high school students need to be vaccinated fully. Then only, students, teachers and parents can have mutual trust among them and can pursue education with peace of mind.
No one can say for sure when the COVID-19 will end and there are suggestions given to vaccinate once after six months. In order to get vaccination continuously, coordination has been made concerning vaccination, with ready to fill system in our country. In doing so, vaccination can be given to every six months. Then only, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 to some extent, he added. Arrangements have been made to include Red Cross members from the Ministry of social relief and resettlement, maternal and child welfare associations and women affairs organizations in vaccination programme.
He added that not only the associations and organizations he said earlier, but also teachers’ involvement can make rapid and success of vaccination programme. Each State and Region governments need to make preparations for vaccination programme and to arrange as quickly as possible for the vaccination through cooperation.
