Teachers in the North Rift Region have been called upon to take the Covid-19 jab ahead of the schools reopening next week.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) executive member, Rift Valley, Martin Sembelo, called on teachers in the region to turn up in large numbers and embrace the vaccination for continued safety in schools when schools reopen.
Speaking to the media in Kapenguria, Sembelo who is also the West Pokot Knut Executive Secretary asked teachers not to fear getting the jab since the vaccine has proved to be safe.
“We should not fear because our work is essential. We are going to meet with learners from different parts of the country. Personally I took the first dose and I am awaiting the second one,” he said.
Sembelo held that with the vaccination, teachers will be able to attend to learners with much confidence.
He observed that classrooms in many schools are overcrowded and the only way to stop the spread of the virus is for learners and teachers to get inoculated.
“Schools have inadequate classrooms and it is difficult to keep social distance. Teachers and learners should wear masks all the time, eating school meals in silence and keeping everything in proper sanitary conditions,” Sembelo advised.
The union official cited that following the surge in Covid-19 community transmissions, many people have contracted the disease and anyone can be infected.
“Many schools have learners and teachers from different areas across the country and they will interact freely while in school,” he stated.
He called upon school managements to provide conducive learning environments that will help in curbing infections.
By Richard Muhambe
