ONLY 19 percent of students have been fully vaccinated against Covid19, the Department of Education said on Friday.

Classes will begin on Monday, August 22.

“Sa learners, ang vax rate natin nationwide is 19 percent,” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said.

He said that they are aiming for a hundred percent vaccination rate.

“Of course we would like to have 100% vaccination rate but the truth of the matter is the vaccination program of the government is not mandatory,” Poa said.

Meanwhile, 92 percent of teaching and non-teaching personnel have been fully vaccinated against Covid19.

Poa said that the department will continue to encourage children to have their Covid19 jabs.

The DepEd will issue a directive on Covid19 infection containment policy to address isolation and quarantine requirements “in the event somebody tests positive for Covid19 while in the classroom,” he said.