THE Perikatan Nasional government must look at the education gap between urban and rural pupils, especially on matters pertaining to internet connection, said Semporna MP Mohd Shafie Apdal. 

“The best lesson we can learn from the Covid-19 pandemic is the weak internet connection in our country. This weakness was faced by teachers and pupils during the home-based teaching and learning programme.

“Internet connectivity in the urban and rural areas must be addressed,” said former Sabah chief minister in a statement today. 

Shafie added that the government must also expedite the distribution of laptops to 150,000 students as announced in its 2021 budget.

He said while the distribution of laptops was a short-term solution, the government must also improve the content of DidikTV, the newly launched educational television channel. 

“The PN government must expedite the delivery of 150,000 laptops to children from the bottom 40 family as promised.

“The Education Ministry is also urged to provide courses and training to teachers so that they can be equipped with up-to-date skills in improving the quality of their learning in the classroom,” he said.

In January, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said 150,000 laptops would be distributed in early February. 

However, on February 8, he said that the laptops would actually be loaned out, with students needing to eventually return the devices. 

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim slammed Tengku Zafrul, saying the laptops for poor students must be given for free. – March 11, 2021.