Act fast to resolve issue of drastic price hike in computers - Sim

 

The government must immediately resolve the issue of drastic price hike in personal computers and electronic gadgets used by students in home-based teaching and learning, DAP Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim said.

The government should not continue to stand idly by when children are unable to continue their normal education, he said.

In a statement today, he urged the government to swiftly allocate 150,000 laptops to students as stated under Budget 2021.

He raised the matter after Sinar Harian reported a 70 percent price hike in gadgets as schools resumed classes last month.

"The news does not come as a surprise because, since the end of 2020, the media have been reporting on the shortage of mid-priced range laptops, forcing consumers to buy expensive ones," he said.

 Sim said he received the same complaints in his effort to promote the 'Asal Cek Mau Pi Sekolah' campaign, a programme aimed at helping students from poor families print their homework for free, and giving them free laptops or tablets and also SIM cards for Internet connectivity.

"I received lots of complaints from the public as they have to buy these (expensive) gadgets for their children," he said.

The government should do something to ensure that children receive normal education during the Covid-19 pandemic, said Sim.

He said the Perikatan Nasional government's failure in managing the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the people facing multiple crises, namely in the fields of health, economy, politics and now education.

"A Health Ministry's report released in April 2020 showed that almost 40 percent of the students did not have any device when it comes to home-based learning. Only 5.7 percent of students have either computers or tablets while 46 percent have only smartphones," he said.

"The use of such small-screen smartphones definitely poses various challenges and difficulties for home learning," he said.

Beside allocating 150,000 laptops to students who come from poor families, he also urged the government to provide income tax relief for the purchase of computers and gadgets for home-based learning.

"The government should ensure an adequate supply of personal computers, laptops and tablets at affordable prices," he said. - Mkini