WITH home-based learning set to be re-implemented for two weeks after the coming Hari Raya Adilfitri, the need for digital devices is even more crucial for students who are not able to purchase them.
Knowing that there are still many needy students, the Penang government has continued with their Penang E-Learning Computer Programme which was initiated last year.
The programme received a big boost on May 7 when the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association, with the support of many of its members, donated a total of over RM2 million which could be used to buy 1,562 computers to help the needy students.
In addition to that, there are efforts being taken by other individuals or representatives who are helping to get sponsors to donate computers on their own.
Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, for instance, handed 20 laptops and 17 tablets to a group of students at his service centre in Bukit Mertajam on May 8.
He thanked Zuwen Bina Sdn Bhd for donating 10 of the 20 laptops which were all given to the upper secondary schools (Form 4, 5, 6) and undergraduates.
The tablets were handed to the lower secondary students (Form 1, 2, 3) and Year Four, Five and Six pupils.
“Computers and other devices are now a must in the e-learning era. We realise that out there, there are many needy students whose families could not afford to buy them.
“So far, we have given out about 500 computers but we have received 3,000 to 4,000 applications, including from other states.
“We won’t stop here but will continue with this project. Whenever we receive the computers from sponsors, we will give them out to those deserving ones,” said Sim, adding that not only those from B40 families are considered but also from the M40 group.
He said for instance, a breadwinner may be in the M40 group but if he has lost his job during this Covid-19 pandemic and has four mouths to feed, his service centre would consider his children’s applications favourably.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of YB Sim’s office