OVER 900 teachers in Malaita Province will be affected as the government implements its ‘no jab no job policy’ this month.
Information obtained from the Malaita Education Authority (MEA) stated that a majority of the 2437 teachers serving in Malaita Province have already received their COVID-19 jabs.
However, MEA chief education officer Andy Siarani said 900 teachers are yet to get their jabs.
“As the government now implements the no jab no job policy, those who are yet to get their jabs will most likely be affected this coming payday,” Mr Siarani said.
He said the MEA had no power to over the ‘no jab, no job policy’ which means they have to follow orders from the Ministry of Education and Human Resource.
Asked how MEA will address issue of teacher shortage in Malaita Province if those who refused to get their COVID-19 vaccination are terminated, Mr Siarani said a lot of unemployed teachers are around and could easily fill these vacant positions.
Not only those, but he said there are also newly graduate teachers from the SI National University (SINU) available to fill in the gap.
The MEA chief education officer said while he sympathized with his teachers who will be affected by the government policy, there is nothing MEA could do to help them.
He said the MEA is keeping record of all teachers’ vaccination cards and he urged those teachers that are yet to submit their vaccination cards to MEA to do so as soon as possible.
By WILSON SAENI
Auki News Bureau
