TAXILA: Owners of educational institutions operating without Covid-19 vaccinated staff not only would be fined but the registration of their institutions would also be cancelled.

The warning was issued by deputy commissioner Attock Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh during a meeting with representatives of private school and college association Attock chapter on Thursday.

The DC said the Punjab government had made coronavirus vaccination compulsory for teachers, administration and other staff members of all public and private schools.

“On May 29, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) also made Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for educational staff in order to ensure safe continuation of the education sector,” he added. He said officials who did not get themselves vaccinated were not allowed to enter the premises of schools and any unvaccinated staff found present in the premises would be dealt with accordingly. He said that despite the government orders most of the teachers and clerks were not interested in vaccination and there was a risk of the spread of Covid-19.

During the meeting teachers and employees of the schools were directed to submit vaccination certificates to the district education authority. The heads of the schools have also been directed to follow these directives and do not allow unvaccinated staff and teachers in schools.

Office-bearers of the association offered complete cooperation to the education department over the vaccination process and said inoculation against Covid-19 was important to have uninterrupted and smooth running of the education system and children’s safety.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2021