KUCHING: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) has urged the federal government to give priority for the teachers to receive vaccines under the recently announced government’s People and Economic Strategic Empowerment Programme (Pemerkasa).
KGBS president Ahmad Malie noted that one of the initiatives laid out in Pemerkasa is to increase the allocation for the immunisation programme from RM3 billion to RM5 billion.
From here, it aims to accelerate the group immunisation target by December this year from the initial target of the first quarter of 2022.
“The teachers are part of the frontliners and therefore, it is only appropriate for them to be given priority to receive this vaccine injection.
“If teachers have been given injections, it will be more convincing for parents to send their children to school,” he said.
He said this when speaking at a press conference held at KGBS office located at Jalan Matang here today.
Under the Pemerkasa programme, Ahmad also applauded the initiatives to improve the internet connectivity nationwide as well as the RM300 subsidy for each B40 household to buy smart devices.
“With the availability of high-powered internet access, this would indirectly empower the nation’s education system and improve the people’s lifestyle towards a more global level.
“Meanwhile, the RM300 subsidy will ease the burden of parents to buy smart devices needed for their children’s education,” he added.
