The Education Department has been tasked with collecting data on the vaccination status of college students with a view to reopening colleges when feasible.
“I have asked the Director of Higher and Technical Education to collate data of students who have taken the vaccine so that we can understand the way forward,” Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said today.
When the data is compiled and studied, the Education Department will then consult the health authorities to figure out whether it is possible to reopen colleges, which are functioning currently only online.
He said that the government understands that at some point or the other educational institutions in Meghalaya should start functioning.
“We should prepare ourselves, especially for those 18 years and above, since vaccination for them has started,” Rymbui said.
The minister also said that only through vaccination can one be protected from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rymbui also admitted that there are drawbacks in the online classes system and therefore the government wants classroom teaching and consultation to restart.
“But I am not saying vaccination should be related to the opening of colleges. But if a majority of them have been vaccinated it will give the government confidence to reopen the colleges,” the Education Minister added.
He also said that the state government will also monitor the Covid-19 situation even as he expressed confidence that the scenario will improve.
Rymbui also urged college students and staff to get immunised.
