KUALA TERENGGANU – The Terengganu government is urged to reimplement the provision of e-books, especially to underprivileged students, to help them attend the online home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions.
Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, who is also former Terengganu menteri besar, said the initiative could be carried out through cooperation with any party including government-linked companies (GLCs).
“If we’re unable to provide e-books to all students, the state government can give it to needy students, or to those from B40 families,” he told reporters after delivering food aid to health workers at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here today.
Terengganu became a pioneer for virtual classes in the country in 2009, which saw e-books with academic software according to the syllabus being distributed to primary and secondary school students.
However, the programme was discontinued in 2015 and replaced with the implementation of the i-Class, which is equipped with computer systems and internet facilities with priority given to schools with fast internet access.
Meanwhile, Razif said to help underprivileged students, they had provided a computer laboratory to ensure they were not left behind in their studies.
The lab has 30 computers equipped with facilities and is also open to university students who attend online classes.
“However, the laboratory cannot be used currently due to the movement control order (MCO). After the MCO is lifted we will reopen and anyone from Seberang Takir who has difficulties such as not having enough gadgets at home can come there,” he said.
Earlier, he presented food donations to 140 health workers at HSNZ in appreciation of their work with Covid-19 patients.
Meanwhile, Razif said he also contributed RM10,000 from his allowance as assemblyman this month, RM5,000 respectively to HSNZ and the state government. – Bernama, January 24, 2021
