ONLINE education has certainly served its purpose during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but home-based learning and teaching (PdPR) cannot substitute for in-person attendance in school. But the persistently high number of new Covid-19 cases recorded daily could affect the reopening of schools nationwide. Vaccinating all teachers, exam and non-exam students will reduce the risk of infections in schools. Since a significant segment of our population is not vaccinated yet, students who have not had their jabs could become the agent of transmission from their community to the school where they study. As such, vaccinating students aged 12 and above and teachers is a prerequisite for safe school reopening in August or September.

Source: The Star July 19, 2021 00:00 UTC