Principal: Government 'lacked compassion' during vaccine mandate rollout - Stuff.co.nz

Robyn Edie/Stuff

Verdon College principal Jarlath Kelly says the way the Government handled to vaccine mandate for teachers was discompassionate.

A school principal has spoken of the stress many educators were under ahead of the vaccine mandate deadline and claims the Government’s handling of the issue lacked compassion.

Invercargill’s Verdon College principal Jarlath Kelly has suggested the Government’s implementation of the policy left a lot to be desired.

While supportive of vaccination as a way forward for the country, the way the Government implemented the mandate policy created significant challenges for individuals and schools that needn’t have occurred with a more planned, considered and compassionate approach, Kelly said.

“I don’t think the way they handled it took into account the impact on the people that might be affected, particularly when the mandate could end people’s employment. I think it was pretty discompassionate.”

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A spokesperson for Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins would not be drawn on claims the Government lacked compassion.

“Ultimately, this is about keeping people and children safe.”

Kelly said the mandating of the vaccine had added a lot of stress to school staff around the country who had medical conditions and were concerned about the vaccine.

The mandating decision was announced unexpectedly and the deadline “put a lot of pressure on a lot of people”.

There was a lack of support and advice for principals and staff dealing with the situation, he said.

“It’s created extraordinarily complicated situations for principals and school boards.”

Kelly also questioned the consistency of some of the Government policies around Covid-19.

“You have to be mandated to be in a school, but if you come from Auckland you can go anywhere in the country [from December 15] and they are just doing random spot checks at the border ... that’s an example of what’s causing frustration.”

Fiordland College principal Lynlee Smith was the only Southland secondary principal who provided details to Stuff of her school’s staff vaccination numbers. She said all her 46 staff, consisting of teachers and support staff, had received at least one Covid-19 jab before the November 15 mandate deadline.

Kelly said it was a sensitive subject for principals and many felt they were unable to comment given the circumstances and the issue of privacy.

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Principal: Government 'lacked compassion' during vaccine mandate rollout - Stuff.co.nz
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