The Malaysian Insight

THE National Union of Teaching Professions (NUTP) is urging the government to expedite the provision of 150,000 laptops for students to learn at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NUTP president Aminuddin Awang told The Malaysian Insight that the laptops were crucial to help underprivileged students.

“The laptop assistance is stated in Budget 2021 and the government – through government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) – will contribute RM150 million for it to Tabung Cerdik.

“So, in this case it is not a direct contribution from the Education Ministry. It is from GLC and GLIC,” he said.

Aminuddin hoped that all parties could work together to distribute the laptops quickly for the benefit of the underprivileged students.

Parents have raised the issue of the “missing” laptops as classes have started for the new academic year.

The parents were worried that the situation will further hinder their children’s education, who have already been left behind in their studies since last year when the schools were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, schools reopened for students with exams, who are required to attend classes for face-to-face attention, while other students continue to learn from home.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, when presenting Budget 2021 in November, announced that 150,000 laptops would be distributed to 500 selected schools.

However, the donations have yet to arrive and parents are struggling to provide devices for the children as well as payment for internet coverage.

Some parents were forced to appeal for help, which has come from a variety of sources including preacher and philanthropist Ebit Liew.

Last week, Ebit said that he had received 43,000 messages from parents requesting help for the devices.

The Education Ministry also acknowledged that there were issues as its own studies found that only 6% of school children have their own computer.

In addition, 5.67% had tablet devices, 9% had laptops and 46% had smartphones.

A total of 36.9% students were found not to have any device and can’t follow online teachings at home.

The study was conducted between March and April last year involving 670,000 parents with a total of 900,000 students.

Former education director-general Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the government should create a special committee aimed at solving the problem.

“The government needs to form a committee consisting of various ministries, NGOs and possibly certain individuals to find a way to address the issue,” he said.

While acknowledging the need for a device for learning at home was urgent, he also asked the parents to be patient.

“It is clear that the delay in providing the laptops is due to the time-consuming process involving a large volume (of laptops).

“To prepare everything will take time so parents need to be patient.

“The ministry has taken steps and it has been announced in the budget, but to prepare is not easy,” he said.

Online learning at home is conducted by teachers through various channels such as Google Meet, Google Classroom and Zoom.

In addition, Education TV broadcasts have also been shown for students to follow their lessons.

“Currently, Education TV broadcasts for nine hours a day, which is two hours on Okey TV, four hours on Astro Tutor TV and three hours on NTV7.

“We are aware that the total time of this broadcast is still not enough, taking into account the current situation.

“The Education Ministry always strives to continue to strengthen Education TV with the appropriate approach. KPM is always committed to do its best,” Education Minister Radzi Jidin last week. – January 25, 2021.