REALISING the importance of computer literacy among school students, Bagan Dalam service centre has collaborated with Devi Sri Nagakanni Amman Temple (Ujong Batu Temple) to set up a computer centre at the place of worship.
Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy said Ujong Batu Temple in Bagan Dalam is the first temple in Penang to have a computer centre in its premises.
“The temple management committee provided an air-conditioned room inside the temple that was transformed into a computer centre.
“Meanwhile, my service centre supported them with 10 refurbished desktop computers, tables, chairs and WiFi access at a total cost of RM10,000.
“The objective of the computer centre is to equip the school students (from ages 10 to 15), especially those from the B40 families with basic computer skills here.
“Since it was officially opened on March 26, the temple management committee has already started conducting the computer classes for the students. Most of the students here live in Kampung Ujong Batu,” Satees told Buletin Mutiara in an interview recently.
Also present was Ujong Batu Temple secretary S. Prabakaran.
According to Satees, rural areas such as Kampung Ujong Batu usually recorded a low level of computer literacy due to poverty and other factors.
“And this is why I initiated this move to improve computer literacy among rural students.
“A good level of computer literacy will also put them in good stead when they pursue their higher education later on.
“So, it is important to expose them to such a programme at a young age,” he added.
Satees said his office would further discuss with state agencies, such as Tech Dome Penang and Penang Math Platform, to also conduct coding classes for them.
Meanwhile, Prabakaran said the computer classes at the temple are held every Sunday and Monday for primary and secondary school students.
“The students are from different races and religions as we want to ensure everyone of them benefit from the classes. And we don’t charge them any fees.
“The teaching staff members are a temple committee member and a teacher from another school.
“So far, the response has been very encouraging. The public also can come to the centre to use the computers,” he said.
Satees added that his office has also planned to open up more computer centres at places of worship in the constituency.
“Besides temples, but we also plan to set up computer centres in mosques and churches as well.
“Currently, we are now working to set up a computer centre in Masjid Jamek Bagan Dalam.
“If everything goes smoothly, we expect it will open next month or after the Hari Raya celebration,” he said.
Satees said that his office is currently discussing this initiative with the management of a church and a Chinese temple in Bagan Dalam as well.
“At the very least, we aim to establish computer centres in four places of worship this year. We are working hard to make this happen.
“After all, I believe that places of worship should not stop at just being a place to worship alone. Their contribution to the betterment of the society should be maximised with educational and social programmes like this,” he concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar