Covid-19: Unvaccinated teacher placed in isolation, Ipoh school says it followed Education Ministry directive

IPOH: An unvaccinated teacher was placed in isolation in a storeroom because the school was following a directive from the Education Ministry.

SMK St Michael principal Sit Wai Yin said the teacher, the only one who had yet to get a Covid-19 vaccine, was not allowed to have face-to-face interaction with other teachers or students.

"The teacher was placed in a former school cleaner's cabin.

"I have encouraged the teacher to get vaccinated many times since May 2021," he said.

"The Perak Education Department and North Kinta District Education Department officers have directed him for other tasks effective Wednesday (Nov 24)," he added.

The teacher had expressed his regret at being isolated because he was not vaccinated.

A video on the issue was uploaded on TikTok on Monday (Nov 22) and received over 1.2 million views.

According to guidelines on school management and operations set by the Ministry, those who have not been vaccinated or had rejected it would still need to go to school but needed to adhere to all guidelines and directives.

They are not allowed to conduct face-to-face teaching and learning nor be in the same room or areas as the students or other school staffmembers.

Meanwhile, state education committee chairman Ahmad Saidi Mohamad Daud said the state Education Department had conducted a full and thorough investigation into the matter.

"A full report will be made known later. The state is serious when it comes to the health and welfare of teachers and to ensure everyone is healthy and free from disease.

"The state also wants to ensure all teachers, students and parents are in healthy condition," he added.