COMMITTED to ensuring that online learning is accessible to school children in the B40 community, Deloitte Malaysia has launched a special programme known as ‘KidsEdu’ in Penang.
Deloitte Penang branch leader Ng Lan Kheng said the programme is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative with the collaboration with YTL Foundation.
“Through the programme, Deloitte volunteers from the Penang branch will work together with the school teachers to provide students from B40 families with the technological know-how, such as tablet use, Zoom handling, typing and many more, with the aim of running virtual classes eventually.
“Meanwhile, the learning resources will be provided by the YTL Foundation.
“Hopefully with this programme, we can ensure that no students in B40 families would be left behind in online education.
“At the same time, we also hope this initiative will help to nurture students with the needed core skills for the future work,” Ng said in her speech before Tan Lean Kee, wife of Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, officiated the launch of the KidsEdu programme at Sekolah Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal Pulau Pinang in Jalan Datuk Keramat today.
Also present were Penang Welfare Association for Mentally Retarded Children vice-president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai and the school principal Bachan Kaur Gill.
Tan commended the initiative taken by Deloitte Malaysia and YTL Foundation in setting up the programme.
“I am sure all of us here are aware that during these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic, many children in the B40 community have had their learning impaired as they lack the required devices, learning materials and internet access.
“Thus, in the light of the unfortunate circumstances, I warmly welcome the collaboration between Deloitte Malaysia and YTL Foundation through this initiative to make online learning accessible to school children from B40 families.
“I understand that 100 school children in Klang Valley have benefited from this e-learning programme and I am very pleased to see that the programme is now being expanded to Penang.
“It is my fervent hope that many more companies will come forward to carry out similar programmes, to support and develop our future generations. They are our most valuable resource and our best hope for the future,” she added.
During the launch at the school today, Deloitte Malaysia has also provided 20 tablets to be used by the students there while YTL Foundation has equipped the devices with learning content and a free mobile data plan.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian