More people expected to get back to work as mandatory vaccination rules eased
KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES — Teachers in the country who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are now welcome to apply for job openings within the public school system.
This was recently revealed by the government in a major about-face from its initial stance on the subject of mandatory vaccination.
The SVG government has eased its rules for mandatory vaccination of frontline workers like teachers.
Last year, while new waves and strains of the novel coronavirus pandemic were still wreaking havoc across the Caribbean, the government required certain categories of workers to become vaccinated against the virus or effectively lose their jobs.
Teachers within the public school system and other positions within the education field were among those occupations impacted by the rule.
But a statement from the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation addressed those individuals specifically.
“Unvaccinated educators and ancillary staff who were employed by the state and subsequently became disengaged due to the government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate can now apply for employment,” the statement read.
It further explained, “This invitation comes on the heels of an amended regime for frontline workers, whereby the government has approved the employment of unvaccinated persons in specific positions…”
Education staff asked to apply via email and in person
Interested jobseekers must apply online and in person.
However, for unvaccinated jobseekers to be considered for jobs in the public school system, they are required to apply both in person and by email.
The government’s notice instructed those individuals to “submit a letter of interest addressed to the chief personnel officer, Arlene Regisford-Sam, and delivered to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation, Myccle Burke”.
Additionally, it noted, “To be considered, letters must be emailed to office.education@mail.gov.vc and also hand-delivered at the Ministry of Education’s main building on Halifax Street, Kingstown, by 4:15 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2022.”
More public sector jobs could open for unvaccinated residents
Last year, the government hired substitute teachers and retirees.
Last year, the government hired substitute teachers and retirees to make up for the gap in the workforce after unvaccinated teachers were effectively barred from their jobs.
With the mandatory vaccination rules now easing, it is anticipated that dozens of public sector jobs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines could become open for unvaccinated citizens and residents.
In the meantime, those interested in the education positions can contact the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation at 784-457-1466 or 784-456-1111 extension 3386, or by email at edumediaunit@gmail.com.
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