Skopje, 21 July 2021 (MIA) — I call on teachers and staff to apply for vaccination and increase the percentage of vaccinated public school personnel, Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska said on Wednesday after Health Minister Venko Filipche on Tuesday said his ministry would intensify communication with the ministries of Education and Science and Labor and Social Policy to instruct institutions under them to encourage more of their employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19. In response to a reporter’s question whether unvaccinated teachers would be offered incentives to get vaccinated, Minister Carovska said the Ministry of Education and Science was not responsible for the vaccination program but if the Ministry of Health introduced incentives for people hesitating to get vaccinated, the incentives would apply to teachers, too. “We’re happy with the percentage of vaccinations,” Carovska said, “but it is important that vaccinations continue, which is why [teachers] keep being called on and informed. I think the percentage will continue to increase.” She reiterated the three possible scenarios for the 2021-22 school year depending on the epidemiological situation in the country. The first scenario is for all students to go back to school in person on Sept. 1, which Carovska said was the best option but it required people to “be responsible and committed and respect the guidelines.” Also necessary, she continued, was to increase the percentage of vaccinated employees so in-person instruction could be held as long as possible. “The Ministry of Education and Science will be ready for all three scenarios on Sept. 1,” she added. Minister Filipche on Tuesday said although vaccination was not mandatory, a new wave in September or October would imply introducing further restrictions. “We can't be all made to suffer because some people refuse to get vaccinated. We can't live in isolation. The world has to function,” Filipche said. “This is why the vaccine was invented, in fact. For life to return to normal.” mr/