DILI, 06 august 2021 (TATOLI) — The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture (MESSK), has announced that the teaching and learning activities of 18 universities would be resumed in august 9, next week.
The announcement was made following the approval of the Ministry of Health as the majority of the universities had met the COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols to resume the teaching and learning process.
Based on the circular letter No. 262/MS/MESCC/VIII/2021, issued on August 3, the Ministry of Health agreed to resume the teaching and learning process of the universities across the country.
Through a meeting of the rectors held on July 29, the decision on resuming teaching and learning activities of the universities was taken collectively: “In the meeting, one of the decisions we made was that if all the universities met the recommended requirements of the Ministry of Health, then Universities could resume the learning activities,” Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos told TATOLI, at his office, in Dili, today.
All universities have permission to resume their face-to-face learning, except East Timor Coffee Institute (ETCI) in Ermera municipality due to the recent sanitary fence imposed by the government to mitigate the spike in cases of Covid-19.
“Up to now, MESSK has not received a report regarding the vaccination rate of lecturers, faculty staff, and students. However, it can be said that the majority of lecturers have received at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine, while many others had been fully vaccinated. The monitoring of the MESSK’s team is underway,” he said.
Santos urged universities students and lecturers to receive the covid-19 vaccine.
“For those who have not vaccinated must follow the health protocols of the Ministry of Health by wearing masks, maintaining social and physical distance, and washing hands thoroughly and regularly,” said Santos.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
