97.5% of teachers fully vaccinated as of end-October

Some 97.5% of teachers had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of Oct 31, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Education Minister Mah Hang Soon said 99.04% of teachers had received at least one dose of vaccine.

“On the action to be taken against teachers who refuse (to take the vaccine), it is based on the instructions that will be issued by the PSD (Public Service Department),” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Wong Ling Biu (PH-Sarikei).

Replying to a question from Maszlee Malik (independent-Simpang Renggam) on viral videos allegedly showing unvaccinated teachers being placed in a small room next to a toilet and a store, Mah said any party with information on the matter could channel it to the education ministry for further investigation and action.

“The ministry always gives priority to the welfare of teachers and students as well as all education staff,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mah said the transfer of 1,023 teachers from the peninsula to Sarawak had been approved from 2017 to 2021.

“The education ministry has set three basic principles for transfer, namely vacancies, option requirements as well as the importance and need for services.

“In this case, the application for transfer can be made based on several categories, namely health, safety and others,” he said.