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More than 80% of NMTI staff fully vaccinated; classes begin Aug. 17
More than 80% of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute’s instructors and staff are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to NMTI’s student services and curriculum coordinator Meena Benavente.
In terms of NMTI’s COVID-19 safety protocols, Benavente said Thursday last week that it is “back to square one” due to concerns with the advent of the contagious and lethal delta variant.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. confirmed last Friday that a case of the delta variant entered the CNMI in July but that case was immediately quarantined and CHCC has assured that there is currently no risk to the CNMI community.
But in line with concerns over this contagious variant, NMTI’s staff, students, and instructors will be required to wear masks at all times, and must maintain social distancing during the next school year.
Additionally, NMTI will highly encourage all who visit its Lower Base facility to wash their hands and will have hand sanitizer in every classroom.
As of Thursday, Benavente shared that NMTI has completed 74% of its goal of having 120 applicants for the upcoming school year, but clarified that these are not final numbers, as NMTI is still currently accepting applications. According to NMTI admissions specialist Jerry Pangelinan, the absolute latest one could apply for the upcoming school year is the week of Aug. 16-20.
Benavente spoke highly of NMTI’s current instructors and staff ahead of the upcoming school year. “NMTI’s staff is quite diverse in terms of culture and expertise, so there is a profound understanding of how things run. …We really make a great team, and I believe within time NMTI will reach the goals that we set,” said Benavente.
NMTI can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/cnmi.nmti and on Instagram @cnmi.nmti. Those wanting to call NMTI can do so through 235-6684. Its website and student application forms can be found at https://nmticnmi.org/.
