KOTA BARU – Since school began, five siblings from a poor family here have had to rely on just one smartphone, which belongs to their mother, for home-based learning (PdPR).
Hasyani Mat Jusoh, 42, said her family is among the poor who are finding it a great challenge to adapt to online learning, which starts from 8am to 12.30pm on school days.
She said as there is only one smartphone at their disposal, her five children aged between six and 15 had to take turns to complete their school work.
“It is a tough situation trying to figure out how to provide for my children in order not to disrupt their online learning, as my husband is an odd job worker with no fixed income.
“At times my children will cry from frustration after having to wait too long for their turn on the gadget,” Hasyani said when met at her house in Kampung Sri Kulim Melor here today.
“On top of that I have to worry over my medical treatment, ” said Hasyani who was diagnosed with stage two colon cancer two years ago.
The slow internet connection was also a snag, so the internet plan had to be upgraded, she said adding that a RM30 reload was needed each week.
According to Hasyani, since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced, her phone had broken down twice and had to be sent for repair.
As such, Hasyani, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II) and physiotherapy at the Mahligai Health Clinic, is hopeful that someone would be sympathetic to her family’s plight.
"I would be be grateful if my children can be provided with two smartphones to cope with their PdPR session. This is sufficient to make online learning easier for them,” she added. – Bernama, January 24, 2021
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