BUKIT MERTAJAM – Despite Penang’s developed state status, about 30 students on Pulau Aman face difficulties continuing their education online during the movement control order due to a lack of internet access.
This has prompted them to take their own initiative to ensure their schooling continues.
Nur Alea Sofiyyah Ahmad Hanif, 16, said she has to go to Hujung Tanjung here to get fast and stable internet whenever she has an important school assignment.
“To get to the end of the cape, I have to walk for five to 10 minutes,” she told The Vibes today.
“I have to go there because I do not have broadband, and the internet connection at home is very weak.”
The Form 4 student at Sekolah Menengah Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shabuddin said she sometimes fails to join classes held via Google Meet.
She added that it took her two hours to load a video tutorial given by her teacher.
“Learning online is very difficult. For SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) next year, I do not aim for the best results, but I still want to work for it.”
The village’s community management council chairman, Saibi Abd Majid, said internet issues have plagued residents for a long time.
There are telecommunications towers on Pulau Aman, he said, but they serve the communications system at the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
“Tourists have complained about the same problem. Most of them do not want to come because of internet issues.
“I hope the problem can be resolved, because we do not want students dropping out of school due to difficulties learning online.”
Pulau Aman has a population of 250.
The state Education Department could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, January 22, 2021
