10,617 staff of the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts has confirmed that out of their 13,823 staff, 10,617 have received the first dose of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine.

A circular released by the Permanent Secretary, Doctor Anjeela Jokhan contained all necessary information on the vaccination program and staff who had not received any dose of the vaccine were sent on leave from 12th July 2021.

Jokhan says since then a number of staff including teachers have received their vaccination.

However she says close to 720 teachers did not meet the pay cycle cut-off date and have missed out on receiving their salaries.

Jokhan says they are currently facilitating manual payments so that these teachers who have been vaccinated receive their pay at the earliest.

The Ministry is advising all its employees who have received their vaccination after 12th July to provide necessary information to the section heads and heads of schools immediately.

This will enable the salary team to facilitate payment of salaries.

The Ministry is also urging section heads and heads of schools to obtain vaccination information from their staff and teachers for facilitation of salaries.