Parents of a prominent Tailevu boarding school have raised concerns that their children could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 via students arriving from red zone areas on Vanua Levu.
Ratu Kadavulevu School Parents and Teachers Association president Jo Korovulavula said as classes resumed today for Year 8 to Year 13 students, the lack of clear protocols about students coming in from the North was a serious concern.
He said there was no definite plan on how the students would be screened and monitored while in school.
“Our concern is for our students going back to school tomorrow (today) because of the spike in COVID-19 cases,” Mr Korovulavula said.
“Parents are naturally concerned about their children’s safety.
“The first risk is that most of their children are not vaccinated. Second is students travelling from Vanua Levu.
“Nothing has been done so far in terms of quarantine, especially for those coming in from red zone areas.
“Something needs to be done. They just can’t come to school and be allowed to immediately mingle with the other
children.”
Mr Korovulavula said the onus was on parents to decide what should be done about their children’s safety in the boarding school.
“The message I’ve given to parents is that it’s up to them if they want to send their children to school or keep them at home because we, as we speak, do not know who is sick and who isn’t.
“I have also advised the principal of RKS about the concerns of parents.”
When contacted yesterday, Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong referred all queries to the Ministry of Education.
But Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Anjeela Jokhan said: “I am not going to give you any comments. If you want any comments, you can contact Arnold Chanel in Vatis as he is our media person.”
Questions sent to Mr Chanel remained unanswered when this edition went to press last night.
