Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated her call to all to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the government is going to take the vaccination drive to the grassroots level.

“We’ve already decided to continue the vaccination programme through every community clinic and health centre so that rural people can take jabs soon. No one should remain unvaccinated. All must avail of it,” she said, adding that many people still show reluctance to receive the vaccine.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.

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At the function, she published the results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations-2021 and inaugurated the distribution of free textbooks among students up to the secondary level for the academic year of 2022.

Hasina said since the Covid-19 jabs will be given through community clinics or other health centres, all of those who have not yet received the vaccine will have to take it.

Noting that the government has already vaccinated the teachers of educational institutes, she said now the jabs are being given to students.

The PM directed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to be sincere so that all the students receive vaccines.

Pointing at the guardians of students, Hasina said not only the parents but also their children will have to take vaccines.

Sheikh Hasina directed the Education Ministry to continue their online education programmes as the Corona infection rate goes up and down.

Mentioning that it was noticed that the outbreak of this pandemic witnessed a surge immediately after the winter season, she said the Education Ministry will have to take preparations from right now to continue the online education programmes in the case of possible surge in Covid-19 infections.

“Since it would not be possible to keep schools open in case of a fresh outbreak of Covid-19, you’ll have to take measures to ensure the access of online teaching to every house,” she said.

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She also urged guardians to assist students over online education.

Focusing on the Awami League government’s development measures for the education sector, the PM said her government gives importance to two issues --nutrition and mental health awareness—of the students.

Hasina said the government started a school feeding programme. But parents or guardians also have to pay attention to the nutrition of their kids, she added.

She said one lakh teachers and officials have been given training on nutrition issues while two lakh teachers on mental health issues.

Noting that many of this country are not aware about their children’s mental health, the PM said sometimes many kids cannot concentrate on their education and classroom teaching, which is one type of disability and a different type of syndrome.