SOME 1,000 public school teachers in Central Visayas remained unvaccinated against Covid19.

Department of Education Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez disclosed over 3,000 teaching and non-teaching DepEd personnel refused to get jabbed against the virus, adding some of them were advised by their respective doctors not to be inoculated.

Unvaccinated teachers were not allowed to attend face-to-face classes, according to Jimenez.

“We have not allowed to teach in class those who are unvaccinated. But we will also not dismiss or terminate them. They will be given other tasks outside of teaching,” he said.

Jimenez added teachers who were given alternative tasks are needed for blended learning.

Meanwhile, the education official assured unvaccinated teachers will not be terminated from work as it is not a ground for dismissal under the law.

As per Section 12 of Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, vaccine cards should not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment, and other similar government transaction purposes.