Gov’t Starts Vaccination for Educators, Educational Personnel
Photo: PR of Ministry of Health
The Indonesian Government, on Wednesday (24/2), has started the COVID-19 vaccination for educators and educational personnel (PTK).
The mass vaccination included 650 PTK and representatives of teacher organizations professional association held at the state senior high school building SMA Negeri 70, South Jakarta, Jakarta Province.
“Today, vaccination for education personnel has started. I saw that the vaccination ran well,” President Jokowi said after inspecting the vaccination.
Educators and educational personnel are the second priority group of the COVID-19 vaccination. Through the vaccination implemented for the PTK, it is expected that face-to-face teaching and learning activities can be carried out immediately.
“The vaccination begins in Jakarta Province before reaching all provinces. We prioritize educators and educational personnel so that face-to-face education activities can be started at the beginning of the second semester,” the President said.
In the meantime, Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Anwar Makarim said that vaccines will be provided for the PTK at all education levels in public and private education units, including formal and non-formal education services. The vaccines will be provided in stages starting from educators and educational personnel in early childhood education (PAUD)/Raudhatul Athfal (RA)— or equivalent, elementary school (SD)/Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI)— or equivalent, and school for the disabled (SLB).
Furthermore, educators and educational personnel at junior high school (SMP)/Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs)— or equivalent, and senior high schools (SMA)/Madrasah Aliyah (MA)— or equivalent, and vocational school (SMK). In the final stage, the vaccines will be provided to the PTK at higher education level or equivalent.
“Thank you, Pak President and Minister of Health for the commitment and the priority of vaccination for the PTK,” Minister of Education and Culture said after accompanying the President in inspecting the mass vaccination.
The Minister went on to say that the essence of prioritized vaccination for PTK is the answer so that the new academic year can be started gradually, beginning with educators at the PAUD, SD, and SLB levels.
“We will do our best so that the vaccination target for all PTK coordinated by Ministry of Health and local governments will be completed,” he said.
The mass vaccination was enthusiastically welcomed by the educators.
“I am happy and I believe this vaccination is useful. This is good to reduce the number of COVID-19 transmission so that education and the economy can return to normal,” a teacher at the state senior high school SMAN 6 Jakarta Abdul Latif said.
Agreeing with Abdul, Sajid, a teacher at the state vocational school SMKN 43 said that through vaccination, he feels safer and more comfortable to interact with students.
“Let’s follow the program because this is the Government’s best measure for the PTK and the education sector,” Sajid said.
Another vaccination participant Kenoki Halawa, a teacher at the Bintang Kejora Cengkareng Private Elementary School, also expressed his support for the Government’s program which aims to break the chain of the spread of COVID-19.
“The vaccination program is extraordinary. I fully support the Government’s program to break the chain of the spread of COVID-19 so that no more virtual teaching process in education sector,” Kenoki said.
He also said that the vaccination is crucial. Therefore, he invited the public not to be afraid to be vaccinated since vaccination is very good at preventing contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“I invite the community, especially educators and educational personnel to support this Government program. Do not be afraid! I was observed for half an hour so that if there is a reaction it can be handled immediately, but I am safe until now,” Kenoki said.
In order to avoid crowds, the vaccination for PTK has divided into three sessions. The first session was 200 people, the second was 150 people, and the third was 300 people.
For the record, the 650 PTK includes educators and educational personnel from Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), consisted of 50 PAUD teachers, 90 SD teachers, 70 SMP teachers, 111 SMA teachers, 50 SMK teachers, 25 SLB teachers, 50 madrasah teachers, 130 higher education lecturers, and 24 Package A/B/ C equivalency tutors.
In addition, the vaccination also includes 50 representatives of teacher professional organizations, including the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), the Indonesian Teachers Union (IGI), the United Federation of Indonesian Teachers (FSGI), the Nahdlatul Ulama Teachers Association (Pergunu), the Muhammadiyah Teachers Forum, the Christian Education Council, the National Council of Catholic Education, the Association of Indonesian Private Teachers (PGSI), the Association of Indonesian Cultural Arts Teachers (AGSBI), the Association of Indonesian Early Childhood Educators and Educational Personnel (Himpaudi), and other teacher professional associations.
Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Religious Affairs have prepared the PTK data as the basis for vaccination. The schedule and location of the vaccination will be informed by the health office/education office/regional office of Ministry of Religious Affairs.
To get vaccinated, the PTK must bring their identity to the vaccination location determined by the local government. If the PTK is not registered, they can include a statement letter from the Head of the Education Unit and submit the letter to the vaccination location. Ministry of Health will coordinate with local governments to provide the most convenient vaccination services for all PTKs. (PR of Ministry of Education and Culture/ PR of Ministry of Health/UN) (RIF/LW)
