Despite the record number of Covid-19 cases in the state, all but 0.5 percent of Jalisco primary and secondary schools (13,357) reopened January 17, Education Secretary Juan Carlos Flores Miramontes reported Tuesday.
Attendance ranged from 71 to 75 percent, with secondary schools registering a slighter higher level, he said.
For the remainder of the 2021-22 academic year, parents will still have the option of keeping their children at home for distance learning.
Around 106,000 anti-Covid booster shots were applied to Jalisco teachers and school staff prior to the restart of classes, which were delayed for a couple of weeks. All teachers are required to have booster shots. On Tuesday, the Jalisco Education Department said that 350 teachers are currently sick with Covid.
Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro announced that school staff will take part in a new program of in-school rapid testing to be launched this week. According to a state government press release, “384 tests will be carried out each week in 52 selected schools across the state, based on the rate of active cases by municipality and schools located in areas with the highest risk.”
Children under 15 are the lowest risk group for suffering the ill effects of the SARS-CoV-2, studies have shown.