THE Penang government has received 1,552 laptops worth RM2 million from the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) for the underprivileged students under the Penang ‘E-Learning Computer Programme’.
State Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng, who oversees the programme, said in light of the ongoing lockdown and pandemic situation, the students’ education process should not be compromised.
“I am glad that we have delivered a total of 1,097 laptops in three months and the remaining units will be delivered next week.
“I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to my team members, MSIA and the 27 companies which contributed the laptops, and Digital Penang, which has expedited the entire process with the dashboard design for us,” she said in her speech during the virtual session today.
Chong Eng pointed out as of May 31 this year, a total of 4,777 students from 194 schools had applied for laptops.
Out of the total, 81 were secondary school students and 113 primary school pupils.
“Among the applicants, 876 of them are from single parent families while 99 are disabled students. Students from the lower income families, single parent families, and students with special needs will be given priority,” said Chong Eng.
She added that the laptops were provided for the schools to lend them to students who need to return the devices back once they are graduate.
She explained that the school would be given full authority to handle the laptops to ensure that more students could borrow once they are returned.
“The students are fortunate to be supplied with laptops to facilitate their online studies,” Chong Eng said.
MSIA president Datuk Wong Siew Hai, who represented the industry players, was delighted to be able to assist the needy students.
He noted that many underprivileged students are unable to study online due to network connection, and lack of gadgets’ knowledge.
“Hence, MSIA is assisting the needy ones, and thanks to the state government for providing us a platform to contribute,” he said.
Among those who also attended the virtual session was ‘E-Learning Computer Programme’ vice-chairman Dr Ngoo Seong Boon.
Meanwhile, at another event, Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who also played an instrumental role by approaching MSIA to help out, said they found out that many students lack devices to take part in online learning.
He said during the lockdown, many children have no access to computers to study.
Some parents, he said, even went to work without handphones because they left their handphones to their children.
Sometimes four children may share the handphone for half an hour each for online studies.
“So, we found out that lacking in devices is a serious issue across not only Penang but also the whole of Malaysia.
“During the lockdown, the basic issue is about devices and the access to internet so that they can catch up to study or else they will be a lost generation.
“Lost generation means that after two years of lockdown or school closure, the children will grow up without proper education,” Sim said.
He thanked Wong for being passionate and working hard to raise about RM2 million in a few short weeks from MSIA members to support the programme.
Sim said the devices came timely as they do not see any possible reopening of schools in October or November or even the remainder of the year.
To the over 1,500 students who are beneficiaries of the programme, Sim has a word of advice.
“Work hard, work for a brighter future and help the society back.
“They can thank the Penang state government, thank the MSIA, but the most important thing is that when they grow up and become successful … become engineers, become technicians … they must help other people,” Sim said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad