A NUMBER of families seized the opportunity to buy secondhand desktops, demo tablets or notebooks at promotion prices at the Penang Science Cluster in George Town today.
A total of 221 items from SNS Network and Dynabook Computer Centre Sdn Bhd were up for grabs for students, with the prices ranging from RM99 for a tablet to RM1,199 for a notebook.
This is part of the two company’s corporate social responsibility in supporting the state’s ‘E-Learning Computer Programme’.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who is overseeing the programme, said since it was launched on May 21, they had received more than 1,000 applications from students for computers so that they could use them for e-learning.
“We’ve asked the schools to give us a list of students who do not have computers. Without computers they cannot take part in e-learning. That’s why the state government has come out with this project,” Chong Eng said in her speech at Penang Science Cluster today.
“For the Penang government, we want everyone to have an equal opportunity to learn.
“Up to today, we’ve over 200 secondhand computers that we had refurbished and given out. At the same time, we’ve 100 new computers that we loan to students for six months.
“Priority is given to students taking examinations, like the STPM and SPM students, followed by Lower Six, Form Five, Form Four, Form Three, Form Two and Form One students.
“Those who come from very poor family, single parent family, or a large family, and have achieved reasonably good results, will be given priority besides those sitting for exams.
“About 20 percent to 30 percent of the students have no computer devices. We hope to achieve the objective of letting everyone who aspires to have a computer to own one.
Chong Eng, who is in charge of the state Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Religions Other Than Islam, said they would also consider applications from some parents who, for instance, may earn between RM6,000 and RM8,000 but have five schoolgoing children.
“I went through the list and found that one family has the most number of children at eight. This is rare as most families usually have two or three children.
“Today’s event is for those families who need more computers and are able to buy them at discounted prices rather than wait for free secondhand computers or loan it from us,” Chong Eng explained.
Among those who turned up for the event today were Tang Seow Pei, 28, and Beh Sook Kee, 48, both from Tasek Gelugor in Seberang Perai.
They caught the eye as Tang was helping Beh, who was born blind, at the event. Beh, a single mother, has not been able to earn any income as a masseuse during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Tang’s sons, Richard Yeoh Lee Ze, nine, and Yeoh Rui Xin, seven, and Beh’s daughter, Crystal Lee Cai Yun, 10, are from the same school – SJRK (C ) Lee Chee in Tasek Gelugor.
“We’re both from the same kampung and I gave her a lift here,” said Tang
“We’re delighted with the purchase. This is a very good initiative by the state government to promote the sales of computers at special offers at this time.”
Tang, who works as a clerk, bought a tablet for her children while Beh bought a notebook for her daughter.
Other companies that have come forward to support or donate computers for needy students include Intel, Macrovention Sdn Bhd, Phidisk, Ibiden Electronics Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Bizcode Asia Sdn Bhd.
Chong Eng expressed hopes that more companies would join in to support the project.
Also present at the event were Penang Science Cluster chief executive officer Ooi Peng Ee, E-Learning Computer Programme taskforce member Sim Phoi Yong and Squash Racquets Association of Penang (SRAP) vice-president Linda Geh, who is also the Asia Pacific Masters Games (APMG) 2018 chief executive officer.
Story & pix by K.H. Ong