LENGGONG – The state government will distribute 20,000 smartphones to the heads of B40 low-income households in Perak as early as next month, to complement the “Tuisyen Cikgu Saarani” (TCS) programme.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad, who is also the Kota Tampan assemblyman, said the provision was aimed at helping poor families in need of smartphones equipped with apps, to help facilitate their children’s online learning.
He said discussions between the state government and a foundation on the provision of the smartphones had been held for the past three weeks and was expected to be finalised next week.
“TCS is just the name of the programme. We will create a motivational programme for both parents and students, and a holiday camp for students. This is just an idea. The final decision depends on the brainstorming session,” he told reporters today.
Saarani said although face-to-face school sessions would be starting next month, the state government will continue to provide devices under the programme for long-term use.
On the TCS programme, Saarani, who is also a former teacher, said a special module would be discussed so that it would be more interesting and achieve the target.
TCS was launched on February 3 specifically for students from B40 families, and includes specific initiatives and assistance – namely tuition and extra classes, special food assistance, revision programmes ahead of exams, seminars answering exam questions, as well as the provision of interactive video-based teaching materials. – Bernama, February 21, 2021
