MELAKA (Bernama): School administrators have the authority to inspect a teacher’s vaccination certificate with effect from Monday (Nov 1), says Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.

       He said the move was to ensure that no teacher failed to comply with the circular issued by the Public Service Department (PSD) which made it compulsory for civil servants to get vaccinated.

       “Beginning today (Nov 1), schools will check the digital vaccination certificates. We want to know if teachers are telling the truth if they have been vaccinated or not.

       “We do not want to (have) cases where they claim to have been vaccinated but in actual fact have not.

       “And we will be sure to check the vaccination certificates of teachers to ensure that the data we have is accurate, and to enable us to take the necessary action," he told reporters after an engagement session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ayer Molek here on Monday.

       In a recent circular, PSD said it was mandatory for all civil servants including teachers to be fully vaccinated before Nov 1 or disciplinary action, including dismissal, will be taken against them.

       Radzi said this was to ensure that teachers and the Education Ministry create a safe environment for students at a time when the country is still facing the Covid-19 threat.

       “We must understand that teachers are constantly with their pupils and parents.

       “So it is very important for teachers and the ministry to create a safe environment and convince parents that schools are actually a safe area. Therefore, it is important for teachers to be vaccinated,” he said.

       On another matter, Radzi said a total of 694,531 Year One, Two and Three students and 652,142 Form Three and Four students have started attending school in states and territories under Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan namely Melaka, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. – Bernama