ISLAMABAD: Educational institutions in Islamabad will be opened on a staggered basis from Monday as the positivity ratio of Covid-19 cases has significantly dropped in the city, however, so far only 24pc staff of private schools has reportedly been vaccinated.

According to data released by the Ministry of Education on Friday, 76pc teaching and non-teaching staff of private schools is still non-vaccinated. Out of the 23,389 teaching and non-teaching staff members of private schools, only 5,717 are vaccinated.

Sources in the ministry said the response of private schools was not very encouraging and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Peira) will have to play its role to get all staffers vaccinated.

In comparison, 74pc teaching and non-teaching staff of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) which deals with government-run schools and colleges are vaccinated.

The data showed that out of 11,915 teaching and non-teaching staff of FDE-run institutions, 8,802 have been vaccinated.

The FDE also decided that those staffers who will avoid vaccination will face disciplinary action.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Peira, Zafar Yousafzai, said in coming days the situation will be improved significantly as camps are being set up in private schools to vaccinate teaching and non-teaching staff.

He said Peira is cognisant of the issue and schools are being motivated in this regard.

“In the next few days, there will be considerable improvement in the number of vaccinated staff,” he said.

Similarly, the response of higher education staff (HEC and universities) is also low as so far out of 35,084 staffers only 11,036 are vaccinated and 24048, which is 69pc, are still not vaccinated.

However, an officer of the education ministry said that the ministry has been pursuing this issue vigorously as the health of teaching and non teaching staff and students is the main concern. All institutions have been asked to submit a compliance report before June 11 after completing the exercise of vaccine.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2021