Education Minister Confirms Reinstatement of Teachers Dismissed Under COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate 

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:10 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

In a landmark announcement at the grand finale of the 2025 Primary Schools Christmas Festival, Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, Phillip Jackson, declared that teachers previously dismissed under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate can now return to their classrooms with “full confidence.” 

Minister Jackson told the gathering that official communications have already been dispatched to school administrators, ensuring that affected educators will be appropriately placed to resume their duties.

“For those teachers who were dismissed by what we call the draconian vaccine mandate, you can go back with full confidence. The official communication has already been sent to the relevant officials at the school. Sign up your resumption form and then you’ll be appropriately placed to continue to give your service to the children of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Jackson said. 

This announcement marks a significant turning point in the nation’s education sector, following years of controversy surrounding the 2021 vaccine mandate. Under the previous Unity Labour Party administration, dozens of teachers were dismissed for refusing to comply with mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The policy, enacted through amendments to the Public Health Act, was widely criticized as heavy-handed and divisive. 

The reinstatement of teachers fulfills a campaign promise by Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, who earlier this month reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring the jobs of public servants dismissed under the mandate.

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