Skopje, 15 September 2021 (MIA) – The number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday is down compared to Monday. So far, there are no indications that the learning model will have to change, but we’re prepared to act if the situation takes a  turn, Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska said on Wednesday. “Epidemiologists and the Commission for Infectious Diseases are monitoring the situation and take action based on the municipality, region, school. 240,000 students attend in-person classes and only 0.01% of them tested positive on Tuesday, which is very small amount. I expect we’ll manage to keep numbers low, as its in students best interest to remain at school,” Carovska noted. She called on principals, teachers and parents to abide by protocols in order to protect children and ensure their right to education. In regard to the position of the Ombudsman’s Office, Carovska underlined that protocols, as well as the three scenarios, have been adopted by the government back in July. “We’re currently implementing the scenario which entails holding in-person classes nationwide, with the exception of Tetovo and Gostivar, where students are set to return to schools next Monday, as decided by the government yesterday. Institutions can have their opinions on shorter classes, etc., but these decisions are under the authority of the Commission for Infectious Diseases. The Commission has adopted the protocols that are currently in force and I’m sure it will tell us if there’s any need for change, but so far it hasn’t,” the Minister said. She stressed that even the most developed countries are holding in-person classes. Moreover, Carovska told reporters that over 74% of teachers have been vaccinated. “I expect that by the end of the month we’ll achieve herd immunity among teachers, whose vaccination rate is double the national average, which demonstrates their high level of awareness for the need for uninterrupted instruction,” she added.