BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the number of active COVID-19 cases climbing to more than 300, and the reopening of schools is eminent, Education Minister Jonel powell is pleading with parents and education personnel to take the necessary vaccine.
The Government is eyeing September 8 as the date for the full reopening of schools across the two islands with teachers set to return on August 30.
But all of that comes as there is still vaccine hesitancy within the community and a number of education officials and teachers are still skeptical about taking the jab.
Powell lamented that the effects of delays within the sector could have long term impacts on the children and their education prospects.
“Our nation’s children deserve the best possible education, and the reality is that face-to-face instruction is undoubtedly the best,” the Minister noted in an address to the nation.
St. Kitts and Nevis,like many other countries across the region, has been forced to close its schools and shift learning to virtual means after there were outbreaks within several institutions.
Officials now want to have all students return to the classrooms, but that may be a challenge as the expected rate of vaccination still remains lows; below the anticipated numbers at this stage of the vaccination campaign.
“The Ministry of Education welcomes the acquisition of the Pfizer Vaccine that can be administered to our school age children of age 12 years and older,” added Powell.
The Minister said it is his hope that parents and guardians would come out with their children to get vaccinated against the deadly virus in order to minimise learning loss.
Under an agreement with the United States Government, the region is set to benefit from 5.5 million doses of the Pfizer Vaccine, and St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to receive 35,000 doses.
Thus far, more than 111,000 doses have arrived in the Federation and inoculation will begin on September 1.
