Digital connectivity in schools needs efficient planning - NUTP

The RM725 million provided by the government this year for digital connectivity in nearly 3,700 schools must be coupled with careful and efficient planning and preparation, said the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Aminuddin Awang.

He said the government must ensure that the implementation is carried out, especially in providing systems and applications that can meet the needs of users.

He said most importantly the government’s effort towards digitalisation should not burden the teachers due to poor planning and preparation by the Education Ministry, especially when these online systems and applications are not equipped with servers that can handle a high number of users.

"One of the most important aspects in making the Digital Education Policy successful is stable and widespread internet access," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Aminuddin (above) said the allocation was crucial in making the policy a success, adding that it shows the government's efforts to speed up the implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela), especially in assisting teachers carry out their duties effectively.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in tabling Budget 2023 yesterday announced an allocation of RM725 million this year to implement digital connectivity in 47 industrial areas and nearly 3,700 schools.

Meanwhile, a housewife and mother of three, Zurina Ali, 38, said the move meets current educational needs that require the use of the internet in learning, adding that she hoped by accelerating the implementation students will not fall behind in their learning.

Mohd Hilmi Zulkifli, 43, who is a civil servant said more efficient internet access would also help improve information technology skills by providing exposure to children to use a multitude of applications and software in an effort to build their soft skills.

- Bernama