Skopje, 17 November 2021 (MIA) – The coronavirus situation in schools is stable so in-person classes remain in force. If the situation deteriorates, we’ll start implementing other scenarios, in coordination with the Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Ministry of Health. However, the situation is currently stable and students are safe at school, Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska said on Wednesday. She added that 75% of teachers are vaccinated, double the national average, noting that the number of active cases in schools stands below 1%. Since the start of the school year, the number of active cases has not surpassed 0.3%. “According to an assessment carried out by the Ministry of Health, the epidemiological situation in schools is under control, which proves that measures and protocols are well-designed and fully implemented. Nonetheless, we continue to monitor the situation daily. While the COVID-19 situation in schools is stable, we stand behind the in-person model of teaching. If the Commission for Infectious Diseases and the Health Ministry sound the alarm and say that students’ health is at risk, we’ll take other measures and discuss other scenarios,” Carovska told reporters. Regarding union requests for teachers to be able to decide which model they’ll practice in the period Dec. 1-March 31., Carovska underlined that amid stable COVID-19 situation, it’s in students’ best interest for schools to remain open. “Schools remain open amid terrible crisis and war because they are the places students go to learn and socialize and they take care of students’ mental health,” the Minister added. Asked whether she will be a part of the reshuffled cabinet, she said that minister get their mandates from Parliament, after being put forward by the PM designate. “Until then, I’ll continue carrying out my tasks. The PM designate makes decisions in the best interest of citizens, in line with achieved results, so his possible proposals will no doubt be accepted,” Carovska said.