Educators in Florida have expressed concern over recent discussions by state leaders regarding the reduction of vaccines in schools, warning that such measures could disrupt student learning and compromise safety. The Florida Education Association (FEA) stated that its primary responsibility is to keep students safe and ensure classrooms are adequately resourced.
According to the FEA, reducing vaccinations could lead to increased absenteeism and health risks among students. The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining qualified teachers in every classroom and addressing challenges faced by public schools across the state.
The FEA also criticized state leaders for actions it believes undermine school safety and educational quality. “Florida leaders claim to care about students but silence experts and take actions that make schools less safe. They claim to care about educators but refuse to pay them fairly. They claim to care about communities but put profit ahead of people at every turn. So, the question is: Is this really about keeping students safe, or is this simply about playing politics?” said the association.
The FEA indicated it is currently reviewing how these policy changes might impact public schools and local communities. “But, make no mistake, FEA will continue to stand up for our students, our educators, and our public schools,” the organization stated.
The Florida Education Association represents more than 120,000 members statewide, including PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, educational staff professionals, college students preparing for teaching careers, and retired education employees.
