RTK testing in schools too risky for teachers, says NUTP

RTK testing in schools too risky for teachers, says NUTP

Teachers are not given any protective gear, gloves or face shields for the screenings, says union.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession has proposed that parents screen their children for Covid-19 at home.
PETALING JAYA:
Asking teachers to conduct the RTK-antigen Covid-19 test on primary school students is dangerous and puts teachers at risk, says the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP).

In a statement, it criticised the education ministry’s decision to hold Covid-19 screenings every Wednesday.

“The tests will put teachers at high risk as they are not provided any protective gear, such as personal protective equipment, gloves or face shields when conducting the screenings,” it said.

NUTP proposed that Covid-19 screenings be conducted by parents at home, since primary school students were unable to test themselves.

It added that self-test kits could be provided to parents for the tests to be conducted a day before the student is due to attend school. Parents could then submit the screening results to teachers.

If the result is negative, the student should be allowed to attend school on that day. If otherwise, the student should be quarantined at home.

NUTP said it believed that preventing the spread of Covid-19 to teachers, students and school staff was of utmost importance.

It hoped the ministry would revise screening SOPs for the safety and health of all involved.

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