By Isaac Zulu
Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima has reiterated his call for parents of school going children to grant prior consent for their children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while in school.
Syakalima has bemoaned the low parental consent for COVID-19 vaccinations targeting children under 18 years in the country, saying this is impeding efforts to make schools safer for learners.
The minister stressed that the government does not want to close schools on account of rising cases of COVID-19 among learners; as this will affect the already delayed school calendar.
Syakalima said this when he visited Kapiri National Technical STEM School where 80 pupils recently tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are likely to have another variant between June and July, and it could be lethal. Now, in June children will be in school…so I do not want to close schools. Already we were late for over two weeks. So this message goes to the parents. Please help us .. help the kids,” said Syakalima.
The Education Minister explained that the government will not force any child to get the vaccine but with the parental consent.
“We will not force anybody because you have a right. But we also have a right to ask that we want our kids to survive. It is just a plea. I’m asking the parents that please can we consent so that we preserve this generation,” Syakalima said.
Earlier, Kapiri Girls National Technical STEM School Headteacher, Hilda Chilufya informed the Minister that only 12 parents with children at the learning institution have given consent for their children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Chilufya further disclosed that all the 80 pupils who tested positive for COVID-19 have been discharged and resumed classes.
She added that the Ministry of Health has since re-fumigated the school hall, which was used as an isolation centre and the entire school to prevent recontamination.
The headteacher however feared for another outbreak of COVID-19 cases as the school continues to receive more pupils who are not vaccinated.
“The learners were asymptomatic…we had no critical case that needed oxygen or further medical attention at the hospital. They were all isolated at the school hall,” she explained. And during treatment they were able to eat and were able to be given school work in isolation. And all of them are well and back to class.”
