KUALA LUMPUR – Understanding the difficulties faced by students from underprivileged families during the movement control order (MCO), young MPs are moving in to tackle the situation by providing necessary help to pupils who lack the necessary resources and tools.
In particular the MPs are focussing on helping students to follow the Education Ministry’s “teaching and learning at home” (PdPR) scheme.
“Dynamic duo” Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Steven Sim Chee Keong, who incidentally both helmed the Youth and Sports Ministry under the former Pakatan Harapan government have taken considerable steps in aiding school students in their respective constituencies.
Syed Saddiq, the former minister, has thus far managed to deliver over 200 laptops to families in his parliamentary constituency of Muar in Johor since last month.
On December 30, he had his head shaved bald after successfully raising RM200,000 in five days for his fundraiser programme named “1 Family, 1 Laptop” initiative to collect 100 laptops for distribution to underprivileged students.
As part of his fundraiser, the Muar MP aims to eventually give out a total of 500 laptops to 500 needy families by the end of the year.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Syed Saddiq took the opportunity to slam Bersatu’s Penang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim for stating that he had not prepared any allocation to aid students for PdPR in his constituency.
“Being in the opposition, I am able to aid more than 200 families to obtain quality laptops. You are an assemblyman from the party that rules at the federal level. Stop giving excuses. Increase your services,” Syed Saddiq said.
“If all MPs and assemblymen are together in aiding our children (to) obtain more laptops, God willing, we can resolve this problem.
“If not us who else?” he added.
Commenting on Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s silence over the reported non-delivery of 150,000 laptops promised under Budget 2021, Syed Saddiq questioned how long parents will have to wait to get the equipment.
“Imagine a pandemic outbreak has been going on for almost a year in Malaysia,” he said.
“But in January 2021 we are still reading the news of students who have dropped out of PdPR classes, parents who could not afford to provide laptops for their children, and Covid-19 positive SPM candidates in their hostels.
He said many students are tired even though the new school session opened last week as they struggle to access classes online.
“Internet problems, laptop facilities problems, problems with school security standard operating procedures. But the minister(s) are still with the ‘business as usual’ attitude as if Covid-19 has ended in 2021,” he added.
Meanwhile, Steven Sim, who was Syed Saddiq’s deputy in the ministry, has initiated several programmes aimed at aiding students at his constituency of Bukit Mertajam in Penang.
In addition to promoting SPM workshops sponsored by the Penang state government, the DAP lawmaker has also launched his “Asal Cek Mau Pi Sekolah” programme, comprising a series of five initiatives for underprivileged students in the constituency.
The five initiatives include homework printing services, online tuition, internet top-up for online learning, student adoption programme and laptop scheme – all for free.
Following the launch on Sunday, Sim said that he has since received 700 applications for the assistance.
“My heart felt very sad. So many people are suffering, and it is getting worse because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“I can only pray to be given the strength to carry out my duties as the people's representative. The federal government's allocation is gone, but I will keep working,” he posted on his Facebook account today.
While his initial free laptop scheme had only raised 50 laptops, Sim was elated in announcing an additional 50 laptops thanks to a sponsorship from his friend.
“Now we have managed to get 100 laptops (pending delivery) and 20 Samsung Tabs,” he said.
“I promise, when the laptops and tabs are in my hands, I will continue to distribute them immediately.
“May God bless the generosity of those who have contributed to the welfare of our children, and may God give strength to the children to continue to study hard even under difficult circumstances,” he added. – The Vibes, January 26, 2021
