TANJUNG MALIM: Almost all teachers in the country have completed their Covid-19 vaccinations, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon revealed.

       He said about 97% of teachers in the country had received their double doses, involving 400,678 teachers, as at Oct 23.

       “There is still a small number of teachers who have yet to receive their vaccines,” he told reporters during a visit to SK Pos Bersih in Slim yesterday.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week advised teachers who had yet to be vaccinated to do so immediately to protect themselves and their students.

       Schools will be reopened in stages, starting with Phase Four states involving Years One, Two and Three primary pupils, as well as Form Three and Form Four students in secondary schools on Nov 1.

       It was reported earlier that the Public Service Department (PSD) had warned that disciplinary action would be taken against civil servants who had yet to receive their vaccinations by Nov 1.

       Site visit: Dr Mah during a visit to SK Pos Bersih in Slim. — Pic from Sin Chew

       With preparations for the reopening of schools are now ongoing, Dr Mah said teachers should complete their vaccinations as soon as possible.

       “As for those who have not received their vaccine, we will refer the matter to the PSD for the next course of action,” he said.

       Dr Mah also said a new secondary school would be set up at Kampung Sawa in Slim Village.

       “The nearest school now is about 24km away. The school will benefit not only the Orang Asli community, but also those who live nearby,” he said, adding that the other adjacent villages included Pos Tenau, Pos Bersih and Kampung Ulu Slim.