KUDAT – The first batch involving 513 laptops promised by the state government has been distributed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor here today.
The devices are part of the 10,000 laptops under the state’s Bantuan Ihsan Komputer initiative launched on June 6 to assist students with online lessons.
The laptops were meant for Form 5 and Form 6 students who are facing both Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examinations respectively.
Hajiji presented the laptops at the Kudat Golf and Marina Resort to state deputy education director Dr Kassim Hussein and Kudat district education officer Kusdi Ribut who received them on behalf of the students.
The state government has allocated RM15 million for the initiative.
At present, the state Education Department has identified a total of 9,842 secondary students eligible for the laptop aid.
The laptops are supplied by the state’s Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry via its agency Sabah Net.
The initiative is supported by high-speed WiFi Hotspot service provider ConnectMeNow and the national digital infrastructure plan, Jendela.
In another development, fifty sites have been identified for the installation of ConnectMeNow VSATs in rural areas across Sabah.
During the launch of the programme, Hajiji said the aims to improve internet service in the state’s rural areas
“The villages earmarked for the programme in Kudat include Kg Andap, Kg Popot, Kg Bak Bak, Kg Bingolon Laut, Kg Gumandong, Kg Rampai and Hutan Simpan Loro.”
VSAT is an earth station used in transmitting and receiving data, voice and video signals over a satellite communication network.
Prior to this, Sabah’s Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, which is the state’s implementing agency, had installed five VSAT facilities for trials in Ranau, Tambunan, Pitas and Papar including one at the Papar Technology and Research Training Institute.
Next year, it will be installing VSAT facilities at 300 earmarked sites to complement the Jendela plan, currently being implemented through the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The MCMC had earmarked 138 sites for VSAT installations in Sabah as well as working closely with the Education Ministry to install VSATs in 59 schools identified as operating without internet connection. – The Vibes, August 12, 2021
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