The coronavirus situation in schools is stable and as long as that is the case we remain on the first scenario – teaching with physical presence. If there is any change or threat, then in coordination with the Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Ministry of Health we will implement other scenarios. But for now, everything indicates that the situation is stable and that students are safe in schools, said Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska.
He said that over 75 percent of teachers are vaccinated, which is twice the national average, below 1 percent is the number of positive and active cases in schools. From the beginning of the school year until today, she said, there is no exceeding 0,3 percent of positive and active students in primary and secondary education, and on a daily basis there is no exceeding 0,03, ie the percentage ranges from 0,01 to 0,03 .
– Also, the assessment made by the Ministry of Health showed control of the epidemic in schools, which, in turn, shows that the measures are respected and the protocols are well designed and well implemented. Of course, like last year, this year we are monitoring the situation on a daily basis. That is why, as long as the situation with KOVID is stable in schools, we will propose the model with physical presence. If the Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Ministry of Health warn that there are other threats to the health of students related to KOVID, then, of course, we will take other measures and discuss other scenarios, Carovska told the media after awarding contracts for financing projects of public scientific institutions.
Regarding the request from the Progressive Trade Union for Education at CCM to the Ministry of Education and Science to allow teachers on teacher councils to be able to decide for themselves the model of teaching – physical presence or online from December 1 to March 31, due to flu season, the situation with KOVID-19, and due to the energy crisis, Carovska answered that due to the stable KOVID-condition in the best interest of the students is for the schools to remain open.
-Schools should function and be open even in the most terrible crises in the world. In times of war, in most countries, schools remain open because they are places where students acquire knowledge, socialize and schools also care for the protection of students’ mental health. added Carovska.
Asked by a journalist if she thinks she will be part of the government reshuffle, the minister said that she gets the mandate after a vote in the Assembly and at the proposal of the prime minister and while that she will perform daily activities in the MES and tasks for reforms that will improve education and science.
-As long as this is the case, I continue to accomplish the tasks that were primarily given to me by the citizens and we remain in that direction. If there is a proposal from the prime minister, he certainly makes decisions in the interest of the citizens, and in accordance with the realized results that it will be accepted, said Carovska.
Source: MIA
