Botswana announces plans to vaccinate teachers
Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) – Botswana’s Ministry of Basic Education has announced intentions to vaccinate all teachers ahead of opening of schools end of August.
Fidelis Molao, the Minister of Basic Education, on Monday said teachers will be vaccinated as a priority.
Statistic indicates that as of 12 August, a total of about 5,498 teachers have had their first vaccination while 2,707 are now fully vaccinated.
“The number of teachers vaccinated is increasing on a daily basis as more vaccines become available and more teachers take up the opportunity. My ministry estimates that 5,498 teacher (15.6%) out of the eligible 35,071 teachers have at least had one vaccination country wide,” said Molao.
Molao has, however, bemoaned the pace at which teachers and support stuff are being vaccinated.
“I am hopeful that with the most vaccines that have already arrived and the Ministry of Health and Wellness ramping up their vaccination sites across the country, teachers will be vaccinated as a priority alongside other front line workers and they should all be vaccinated by the time schools re-open,” said Molao.
Botswana has intentions to rollout phased opening of schools, following a three-week extension to a month closure of school, as part of measures to control escalating COVID-19 infections.
-0- PANA DRW/VAO 16Aug2021
