KUALA LUMPUR – Youth groups are frustrated over the slow laptop distribution under the government’s Cerdik programme as online learning has been extended until term break next month.
They said the government has failed to effectively distribute the laptops to underprivileged children and demanded an explanation.
“Parents, who are trying to ensure their children’s futures are not affected, have to dip into their savings or enter debt to provide tools for online learning.
“We want an explanation from the Education Ministry and its minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin. Provide a clear statement on laptop distribution.
“We also urge the government to speed up the distribution process to ensure the students’ progress is not affected,” they said in a statement.
The statement was endorsed by Albert Lee (PKR youth education unit treasurer), M. Jay Raj (Enlight Malaysia president), Calvin Yeoh (Young Democrats Malaysia founder), Farzana Hayani Nasir (PKR student council representative), Kiran Raj Saktivel (Youth Parliament member), and Tan Li Pei (Perak assembly youth member).
Last Sunday, Radzi said 12,887 units had been given out to 95 schools nationwide, with 40,290 units to be distributed by June 12.
“The remaining 96,823 units, God willing, will be distributed by the end of September.”
In Budget 2021 announced last year, the Perikatan Nasional government promised to supply 150,000 laptops to needy students. – The Vibes, June 8, 2021
