(L to R) Lam, Pui, Chai and Chan watch a student get vaccinated at SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 4 today.
KUCHING (March 5): Chung Hua Primary Schools (CHPS) No. 1 to No. 6 have achieved an average Covid-19 vaccination rate of 83% among their students, said the chairman of the board of trustees. CHPS #1 to #6 Datuk Jonathan Chai.
He said the statistics have remained fluid as some parents may choose to vaccinate their children at other vaccination centers instead of receiving the shots at schools.
“China’s six primary schools in Kuching have a very ideal vaccination rate and based on available government data, the vaccination rate in our primary schools has been very high,” he told reporters during a briefing. Covid-19 vaccination campaign for pupils in grades three to six. to SJK (C) Chung Hua No.4 at Jalan Nanas here today.
Providing a detailed breakdown of the vaccination rate among CHPS, he said SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 3 and No. 5 had reached around 90%; followed by SJK(C) Chung Hua No.4 (86%); SJK(C) Chung Hua No.2 (85%); SJK(C) Chung Hua No.6 (82%) and SJK(C) Chung Hua No.1 (73%).
Chai, who is also chairman of SJK(C)Chung Hua’s No. 4 Management Board, hoped that all elementary school students would have received at least one dose of the vaccine before classes resume on March 21.
“According to expert advice, children who have been vaccinated will be able to attend face-to-face lessons in a safer environment and our school boards will continue to provide support such as preventive assistance to guard against Covid-19.”
He also hopes that all teachers, students and parents will play their respective roles so that the majority of the student population is vaccinated.
“The last thing we want to see are infected school children spreading Covid-19 from their homes to school and turning the school into a Covid-19 hotspot.”
However, based on their previous experience, Chai admitted that it was “impossible” to ensure that all students are free of Covid-19 infection, but the duty of the school board is to maintain the rate of minimal infection.
“We believe that not all school-aged children should stay home to learn only, as it does not provide the best learning experience.
“We hope everyone can work together to create a safer learning environment for students,” he said.
He also hopes that parents with the financial means will be able to have their children tested for Covid-19 frequently, or at least twice a week, via home self-testing kits as a preventive measure.
He said the Department of Education’s current approach is to carry out sample testing of the student population every Wednesday, but there is still a risk of infection for schools with large populations.
“In addition, even if one has been vaccinated, parents are advised to take precautionary measures outdoors or in the workplace so that children vaccinated at home are not exposed to the virus,” Chai said.
Chai is also the chairman of the Association of Management Boards of Chinese Assisted Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions.
Among those present during the school visit were the Association of Management Boards of Chinese Assisted Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Vice President Serian Rodger Chan, Vice Chairman of the Management Board SJK(C) Chung Hua No.4 Lam Lee Onn and Director Pui Jin Tung.