FOR some pupils, education is inaccessible in a time of epidemic unless they work to earn money for internet access.

Muhd Iqmal Shafy, 17, should not have to worry about finding work at this time in his life, but since school has been suspended and lessons have gone online, the Kolej Vokasional Kajangpupil has needed money to pay for a data connection.

There are other expenses, too, that did not exist pre-Covid-19, he said.

“I now have to print out all my assignment papers so there is the additional cost of paper and ink,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He has a part-time restaurant job that pays RM40 for four hours of work a day.

“I don’t want to burden my parents by asking them for money. Moreover, online classes end early (so I have time to work).

“With the income, I can buy internet data and the necessary items for my studies,” he said.

Iqmal admits that he hated online learning, saying it is hard to understand and remember the lessons, compared to learning in class with friends to discuss the syllabus with.

“Studying at home alone is different. Being alone, it’s harder to get into the mood for serious study. If there are difficult questions, it’s hard to have to figure them out by myself.”

Online learning is also time-consuming because communication with the teacher is more difficult and help harder to obtain for problems they might have with their lessons.

“It usually takes time to contact the teacher and get a reply whereas in school you could talk to the teacher directly and get an immediate answer, or you could discuss it with friends.”

His schoolmate, Ariff Akthar agreed that he too would rather study in school.

While he has Wi-Fi at home for which he doesn’t have to work to pay for, he has to share one laptop with his brother.

“I can’t study or do my assignments consistently,” Ariff said. – December 12, 2020.