Give Vaccines To Polytechnic Community College Staff Says Maszlee

---

 
Polytechnics and community colleges have contributed significantly in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19, says Maszlee Malik. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: The government should prioritise and expedite vaccinations for staff in polytechnics and community colleges, former education minister Maszlee Malik said.
In a statement today, the Pakatan Harapan education committee chairman said they had received many complaints from lecturers who were often left behind whenever there is an outbreak of Covid-19.
“These lecturers are also frontliners. They contribute to continuity for students after secondary school and help develop their skills, especially those from the B40 group comprising 85,936 students in polytechnics and 16,142 in community colleges nationwide.
“They are exposed to the risk of Covid-19 because although theoretical study is conducted online, practical sessions have to be conducted face to face for the majority of the courses,” he said.
He added that polytechnics and community colleges also contributed significantly in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19.
According to Maszlee, these institutions of higher learning played a role in helping the nation face the health crisis by producing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns, face masks and face shields, and distributing food assistance to the community.
“In addition, polytechnics and community colleges are used as low-risk Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centres (PKRCs).
“It is therefore appropriate that the government give priority to all lecturers and staff of these colleges to get the vaccine,” he said.
Meanwhile, the committee also questioned why polytechnic and community college staff who return to Sarawak from the peninsula have to bear the cost of quarantine whereas quarantine costs for teachers in the education ministry are borne by the government.
The PH education committee comprises representatives from PKR, DAP, Amanah, Upko, MUDA, Pejuang and Warisan. - FMT

---