No more climbing trees for internet coverage - Zahid

 

The government will ensure that low-density, rural, and interior areas are provided with sufficient internet coverage to facilitate students’ online learning, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“I have already informed the digital minister (Gobind Singh Deo) that from the end of this year, there will be no more students climbing trees to get coverage, because we have 5G.

“We have 5G, so we will continue to provide coverage for low population, low-density areas, villages, Felda and Orang Asli settlements, and interior areas. It is mandatory that these areas be provided with sufficient coverage,” he said when officiating the national-level Teacher’s Day Celebration in Kuantan today.

Computer labs in need of upgrading

Zahid said as many as 8,104 computer laboratories in schools need to be upgraded to ensure that the Digital Education Policy achieves its objectives.

“I hope Education Ministry makes this matter a priority. I was also informed that the supply of teaching and learning devices to students, at computer laboratories, has been implemented in phases.

“Since 2022 until now, 11,220 schools have benefited from the 213,014 laptop units provided,” he said.

He also said that he would discuss with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the Education Ministry to be given a higher allocation in the next budget, an increase from the RM58.7 billion in Budget 2024, to provide sufficient learning equipment, as well as various other initiatives.

- Bernama