Mumbai: What to do about teachers refusing jabs, ask colleges

A student receives a dose of vaccine at a college in Thane. File pic

Colleges have reopened in the city, but most principals are facing problems when it comes to running these effectively, especially while preparing for full-fledged classes. The government order states that students, teachers and other staff have to be fully vaccinated to be on campus, but there are some teachers who are against vaccination, reducing the number of teachers who can be on campus. This, in turn, is making it difficult for the administration to prepare class schedules.

Colleges in the city reopened last month with much zeal as everybody was happy to be back on campus after almost two years. However, the physical reopening started with less capacity and restricted courses, and Diwali vacations were soon approaching, making it easier. But now, as colleges are looking at full-fledged reopening, they are facing more obstacles.

A number of those who were not yet vaccinated are getting the jabs at special drives, but those who are against vaccination are worrying the administrations. College heads, unaware of how to handle the situation, have approached the office of the joint director of higher education, Mumbai.

"This is a new issue we have come across as planning to reopen more classes is on the cards. Those who have medical conditions due to which vaccine cannot be administered are allowed on campus as per the regulation. But what about those deciding to not take the vaccine," asked the principal of a suburban college requesting anonymity.

Another principal said, "They are not unwilling to join offline learning, but if we allow them on campus, we will be flouting the rules. With a divided workforce, it is difficult to prepare timetables, especially now when the number of students has started increasing."

Joint Director of Higher Education, Mumbai, Dr Sonali Rode has asked colleges to submit a list of vaccinated and non-vaccinated staffers. "Some colleges approached me with this rather peculiar issue. If these teachers are not reporting to offline duty even as it has started now, action needs to be taken as this means they are not doing their job in full capacity. After collating the data of non-vaccinated teachers from college, action will be taken."

20 Oct
Day city colleges resumed in-person classes