IPOH – Community Internet Centres (PIKs), which have strong internet access, present an alternative for parents who cannot afford to provide gadgets or devices for their children to follow home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).
A Bernama survey at the PIK in Kg Tersusun Batu 8, Tambun, here yesterday found that the initiative by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry has turned out to be the go-to for students who need computer and internet facilities.
Its manager Mazzita Abdul Razak said the centre, which opens from 9am to 6pm every day since 2013, also lends laptops (netbooks) for students to use at home.
“This PIK is a hub for school students, especially with the implementation of PdPR, but since (we are under) the movement control order (MCO), fewer students come here as parents are worried about the safety of their children.
“They prefer that their children study at home by borrowing laptops from the centre,” she said when met by Bernama.
She said the centre has 200 laptops, with about half of them having been loaned to students and schools.
The centre still has more than 100 laptops available for students to borrow, she said, adding that there are about 20 laptops for use at the centre itself, which also has a meeting room to hold online conferences.
She said those keen to make use of the PIK’s facilities can visit the centre or call 010-315-3073 for more information or appointment.
A Form Four student of SMK Ulu Kinta, Che Hafizal Farish, who lives in the village, said he visits the PIK every day to follow his PdPR sessions and do internet research.
Che Hafizal said the presence of the centre has indeed benefited students, especially with the outbreak of Covid-19, which forced schools to close.
Meanwhile, villager Rehan Ezanee Ahmad Tajuddin, 36, has borrowed a laptop from the centre for her two children, one in Year Three and the other in Form One, to follow PdPR sessions.
She said although the children, Muhammad Ammar Zihnee Shamsudin, 9, and Nur Alya Ezanee Shamsudin, 13, have smartphones, using the laptop makes it easier for them to complete their schoolwork.
Meanwhile, Perak Youth, Sports, Communications and Multimedia Committee chairman Khairul Shahril Mohamed, when contacted by Bernama, said there are 66 PIKs in the state.
“I call on students who have problems following PdPR sessions to take advantage of the facilities provided at their PIKs,” he said. – Bernama, January 27, 2021
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